Devin Thomas Damascus Questions ???

nyefmaker

nyefmaker

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I have lots of experience with CRK overall and with sebenzas in general. I don't however have lots of experience with CRK Damascus Bladed Sebenzas. My question is: For those of you that have Both Devin Thomas High Carbon ( HC ) Damascus and Stainless Steel ( SS ) Damascus Bladed sebenzas, is there an easy way to tell the difference ??? I was told by Devin Thomas through email awhile back that HC is more prone to rust and more for show, while SS would be a better choice for EDC. I guess there is like a "varnish-like coating" on the HC, once it wears off, it could rust unless a preventative is applied ( oil, etc. ). The SS on the other hand is not treated for obvious reasons and is tougher overall and better for EDC. I have also heard that HC will show a more vibrant contrast and look better overall, while SS is duller so to speak. For me personally, I ONLY want SS Damascus as I plan to EDC any Damascus bladed sebenza I would get. I do know Devin Thomas only makes SS Damascus now as well. I am basically asking as you see many Damascus bladed sebenzas on the forums and some do not have BD Cards. And many that do just say Devin Thomas Damascus, even "older" dates like in the early 2000's. I have a Damascus Mnandi & Small 21, both in SS Damascus.

Any input from you CRK Damascus owners would be helpful.

Thanks Guys & Gals
 
The HC damascus will tend to be black and silver and the stainless will tend to be more gray and silver. I use the word "tend" because that is not always the case. I don't have much experience with stainless damascus be it with CRKs or other wise, but I do have quite a lot with carbon damscus. If the carbon damascus is treated in the appropriate way it will not rust. I have a folder blade and a few fixed blades I made with steels like 1095/15N20 and YK30/15N20, after parkerising the blades they have hardly rusted at all even after a good bit of use. There are other treatments one can use but I like parkerising the best. I have a large dislike of any sort of protective varnish coating as it doesn't let the steel show it's self too well IMO.
 
You can't exactly tell in this photo, but the stainless damascus sometimes has the high contrast coated blades and sometimes (the most recent from CRK) has the flat grayish color. The Micarta knife at the top has the flat, less contrast, uncoated blade and all the rest have the shinier high contrast look to them. All of these knives are stainless damascus. I don't have any experience with the HC damascus.
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I have a a SS DamaSeb and it is more of
a grayish coating. I actually really enjoy the colors.

Here are some shots with some variation of lighting.

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The SS Raindrop Damascus is amazing for a EDC. I have been using mine non-stop. Not only is it bad ass to look at but it holds an edge very well. On to your question though, carbon steel damascus did require a thin coat of lube in order to remain rust free I think its been a long time since that was used.


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Both HC and SS sebenza's will do what ever job you put in front of them with one exception, the HC blade is much more beautiful (in my opinion) cuz of the contrast between the two steels. You can EDC either one just be aware the HC needs more care and I do beleive it will also perform a little better, Good Luck.

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I believe this to be high carbon and I love it!

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For me personally, I ONLY want SS Damascus after receiving the email from Devin Thomas. I think the potential of rusting is the reason DT only makes SS Damascus now. My grail sebenza is a large regular with SS Damascus and I have passed on many that have been HC or did not have a BD Card to confirm SS Damascus.......The Search Continues !!!
 
When I had my small Sebbie rebladed in Damascus I had ordered high carbon steel but all they had available was stainless so I went that route and now I'm glad. After more than a year of EDC, the coating (BTW, they will do matte or gloss coating) is wearing away at the tip so SS is much more utilitarian than the HC steel (IMHO).

I made a point of asking them for the lowest contrast possible and they did an excellent job, as usual.

I've got to do some photos of this . . .
 
To answer your question - CRK no longer orders carbon Damascus from Devin. This would explain why the card now says, "Devin Thomas Damascus". Everything they order is only stainless Damascus. Devin still makes carbon Damascus but for now CRK just doesn't order it. A few years ago when CRK would order carbon Damascus it was a combination of O-1 and nickel. It had a great contrast (black and silver) but it is true that it would rust if not taken care of. O-1 is an excellent blade steel but if not taken care of it of will rust. So if you have a carbon Damascus blade it is great steel. I talked to Ann about this once and the reason they only order Stainless Damascus now is so that they can make it easier on themselves. If you now want a Damascus blade you have a choice - Stainless or Stainless.

Rob Thomas http://www.thomasdamascus.com/
 
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