Who Uses a Damascus blade?

[anthony cheeseboro]

Who actually carries and uses a damascus bladed knife, either a folder or fixed blade. How is the steel's performance? How does stainless Damascus hold an edge or resist staining?

 

[Velitrius]

My hunting knife is a damascus piece. I'd be hard pressed to tell you whether it is better or worse than any other material. I can't tell it apart. Mine is 1095 and L6 in a random twist pattern. Very nice.

Dunno about the stainless kind, but mine holds an edge as well as anything else I've used.

 

[PhilL]

I have a liner lock that I designed and was made by Art Washburn, The wharncliff blade, bolsters and back spacer are all Devin Thomas "Raindrop" pattern SS Damascus. I've carried this knife every day since I got it in Dec of 2000. This is not my heavy duty knife, but it's done every utility chore most people would put a knife through. Art knew I wanted a user and told me that his wife who is a chef uses the same Damascus on one of her kitchen knives. It holds a very nice edge with minor touchups on a 204, and with a close inspection it looks just as pretty as the day I got it. When I was first having the knife made I knew Gary Graley was going to do the sheath for it. There was some concern that the leather might scuff the Damascus bolsters, but that hasn't been a problem. I couldn't be more happy with the knife or the Damascus.

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm taking the damascus plunge and I wanted to have an idea of what to expect.

 

[Bimmer1]

I have several damascus blade knives. When speaking to most makers that use damascus on a regular basis most of them seem to prefer the carbon damascus as opposed to some of the stainless damascus.
When it comes to stainless damascus that has a great edge and cuts well most makers tell me to go exclusively with the Mike Norris stainless. He makes some beautiful patterns and many makers swear by his stainless and carbon damascus for users.
I'm sure that there is some other excellent stainless damascus out there such as the damasteel product and Devin Thomas stainless damascus but I haven't heard quite as much buzz about it to tell you anything. It may be just as good.
I had custom maker Gary Bradburn make a custom Japanese style tanto for me out of stainless damasteel and it tunred out very well. I bought it as a collector's piece so I haven't cut with it.
I recently obtained the new limited edition Buck 970 damascus dagger and then had a knifemaking friend customize the handles on it for me. (See my thread in the BUCK forum). I plan on using this particular knife but I cannot find out any information about the type of damascus used. The Thundeforged damascus line is supposedly a good slightly cheaper carbon damascus steel. They have some nice patterns as well.
Hope this helps.

 

[Greg Covington]

I use a couple.

I have a Bagwell hunter with his Satan's Lace pattern and it cuts as nice as any carbon steel blade I have used. Maybe a little "toothier"

I also use a small Bowie that I made from a combo of cable, chainsaw, and 1045 steel rod....and it is a real performer.

 

[Rifter]

Im getting my first one next week, after i get it i will be back and post my opinion's on it.

 

[dsvirsky]

My collection includes a 3-finger stag and damascus (Damasteel) hunter that I consider a "user." Since I don't often carry a fixed blade, it doesn't get a lot of use, but every now and then. The twist Damasteel sharpens pretty easy and takes a good edge; not sure how well it holds it, since I haven't used the knife that hard.

 

[nifrand]

I have a Camillus CUDA Damascus that I carry daily.Use the heck out of it.Have to sharpen it pretty regular,as not too good edgeholding.It is carbon steel and is very easy to sharpen.

 

[guy g]

Anthony,hello.
The PCKS Damascus I have works real well. Had it since Feb.4, sharpened it once after 3 weeks and steeled it two other times.
For me thats excellent.
guy

 

[anthony cheeseboro]

The knife I have on the way is a damasteel folder. It will go into my rotation as a gents knife/utility piece. Listening to you guys, I suppose it should be able to withstand typical knife use.

 

[David1967]

I too use this damasteel folder almost every day and its performance is great...

David

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I use an A.G. Russell 340 with damascus blade. I've had it longer than any other knife in my daily carry rotation, and no rust, takes a very keen edge, and just plain looks cool.

Pic curtesy of A.G. Russell.com