What's the deal with damascus steel?

O

Old Painless

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Apr 10, 2006
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I thought it wasn't just looks but that it has (when done well) some superior quality to it, but then upon reading Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop, it seems that this isn't really the case (hence the need to wrap the damascus around a different steel core).

Is it just looks then?
 
While they are for the most part for show the best use excellent steels and are very fine practical and attractive knives.
 
depends on the damascus. modern stuff is pattern welded and its no better performance wise than regular old stainless.

the original stuff from india was supposedly really amazing, sultan saladin apparently had a blade made out of the stuff and really impressed the europeans (richard I & co) with its quality.
 
I feel that damascus is a way for the maker to put more of himself into the structure and looks of the steel itself. It's also cool looking.

For an idea of what goes into a damascus knife, check out this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650083

The original, Indian-origin, "damascus" also called wootz, is still being made. It's true that the original ore deposits are long gone, but modern techniques can duplicate this ore's composition. In my understanding, while this steel is unique, it is not inherently better than modern alloys.

Phillip
 
Most damascus is a perfectly fine steel, but it isn't any sort of superior performing blade steel. It is very labor intensive to make and no one piece of damascus is the same, that's why you see it on custom and high end knives. It makes the knife special and unique.
 
I've always wondered the same thing. How does it hold up strength wise/edge holding against the common steels in use today in blades such as D2, 154CM, S30V, M2, etc. I'm still a hardcore rookie when it comes to blades but I've been doing my best trying to learn as much as I can. From what I can tell M2/M4 appears to be the best...damascus the most expensive...just don't know where it stands performance wise against the others. I know in many cases its application specific which is better. I know the damascus blades I have I would more than likely never use them they cost so much...I was just curious.
 
damascus as commonly referred to isn't a distinct steel with distinct material properties, it's pattern-welding of two or more steels. The steels chosen will determine the properties. Pattern-welding is done to make a pattern, you won't do any better than a modern steel, because there is almost assuredly a modern steel that will have an alloy structure equal to the pattern welded composite, and it will be homogeneous and produced to modern foundry standards for industrial use.

I buy damascus blades for looks, not performance upgrades.
 
Damascus looks great and is very usable when made properly. For months now I have been using a Damasteel Elishewitz folder, and it is just as capable as S30V, D2... I have not done side to side cutting tests (I have a wife and a life) but it is well within working limits.

Remember as others have said that Damascus is not a steel type, if discussing performance one must give further details- Rc, steels used...
 
This thread sounds like a Jerry Seinfeld bit.
 
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