How is Case's Damascus as a working (user) steel?

[Macchina]

Case makes several of their standard offerings with nice Damascus steel patterns at at a very reasonable price. Is this steel a good working a steel? Is it considered a carbon steel? How would it compare to say their CV steel when it comes to blade retention*?








*

 

[black mamba]

My only example is this #47 stockman with the raindrop Damascus. It came sharp, and has so far worked great for EDC tasks. I don't use them too hard, but it seems every bit as good as the CV to me.

 

[Macchina]

I need to sit down...

 

[rishma]

My only example is this #47 stockman with the raindrop Damascus. It came sharp, and has so far worked great for EDC tasks. I don't use them too hard, but it seems every bit as good as the CV to me.

Stunning. I never had much interest in Damascus but now I do. That is Outstanding.

 

[GasMan1]

That is one Great looking knife. :thumbup:

 

[black mamba]

Thanks, all, it's one of my favorites, too.

 

[Peregrin]

I've got a few in their Rainbow Damascus. They're 1075/Nickel, last I knew, and seem to hold an edge similar to their CV or stainless. Makes a pretty knife and works well too. Just wipe a little oil on them now and then, like you would a carbon steel blade. Here's a pic of a peanut that has traveled to the UK and Italy with me. It's my check bagged when I have to fly companion.

 

[Tyler.Bachman]

How the Damascus compare to the cv in rust prevent and patina?

 

[knarfeng]

It appears to me that Gary already answered that.

 

[Modoc ED]

I have a few Case knives with damascus but this is the only one I have photos of in my computer. The steel in this knife is 512 layer damascus by Devin Thomas from Nevada.

I use the pictured knife at times and it works well - no differently than their CV. Here is a picture of it in the sun with scratches and all from carrying. Just oil the joints, and put an occasional film of oil on it and it's good to go just like any other knife is.

Case does offer stainless damascus as evidenced by the Case Peanut Damascus with green jigged bone covers discussed in another thread the other day.

 

[Augie]

I've got a couple of the Barlows, they came very sharp and seem to stay sharp. The edge has an interesting feel to it, like it is serrated, due to the layers of the Damascus used.

 

[pertinux]

I've got a few in their Rainbow Damascus. They're 1075/Nickel, last I knew, and seem to hold an edge similar to their CV or stainless. Makes a pretty knife and works well too. Just wipe a little oil on them now and then, like you would a carbon steel blade. Here's a pic of a peanut that has traveled to the UK and Italy with me. It's my check bagged when I have to fly companion.

How the Damascus compare to the cv in rust prevent and patina?

It appears to me that Gary already answered that.

Tyler, my understanding of Gary's/Peregrin's response is that the damascus in question is a blend of carbon (1075) and stainless(?) steel [does nickel rust? I'm thinking, "no"], and as such requires the same care as CV-- don't put it away wet, keep the blade(s) lightly oiled here and there (as per Modoc ED's remarks above), etc.

The carbon portion of the pattern will develop patina, the stainless/nickel areas won't to the same degree, sometimes leading to greater contrast in the pattern (although I've seen some blades which become more muted after use, the patina-ed carbon portion taking on the hues of the nickel).

In the case of stainless steel damascus, less concerted care is indicated, but general thoughtfulness still applies (stainless does not equal, won't rust!).

Hope this helps.

~ P.

 

[r redden]

I have no Damascus blades. They never really appealed to me that much but I do have to say Gary that peanut is beautiful.:thumbup:

 

[Peregrin]

I have no Damascus blades. They never really appealed to me that much but I do have to say Gary that peanut is beautiful.:thumbup:

Thanks, Randy. I have a few other patterns with that Damascus and they are all splendid knives. I think the higher price Case gets for them dictates a higher level of fit and finish. One thing I really like is that the swedges are crisp and very well defined. You can see it in that photo, if you look closely.

 

[revmic]

I owned a Case "raindrop" peanut that was indeed beautiful. My experience with it was however disappointing. I am not one to mistreat a blade but, the blade tip bent and, to me at least, the steel seemed overly soft as tho' from a poor heat treat. I have several Damascus blades with similar geometries and none have demonstrated the same behavior. Please do not interpret this as a negative toward all Case knives, just hopefully a very rare exception.