Thread: Damascus vs. whatever else

The single most important advantage of traditional high carbon steel razors over SS or Damascus is that they are far easier to HONE! Much less frustration and time. With the plentitude of razors that most of us have how may have really needed to hone their razor frequently?

At the same time I will say that I have just met a gentleman that makes true Wootz Damascus. Mike Blue of Cannon Falls Minnesota. He is going to have a seminar this coming November and I got on the list. He also smelts other steels and even has his own roller mill! He gave me the names of some bladesmiths that have made straight razors in the past. This should be fun!

Just mouthing off,

urleebird

It's an original Chris Reeve Large Sebenza with a unique graphic and damascus blade. I also have one with a unique graphic and a S30V stainless blade. Have a photo of it somewhere that I'll upload.

Thanks to all who responded here. You've answered a lot of questions for me.

AJG

FWIW, I bought a mint Dubl Duck Stainless a little while back, and it was dull as could be. I thought I was in for a marathon honing session, given what I had heard others say about honing a stainless blade. I don't know that it took much longer than a carbon razor would have, given how dull it was. I will say, this DD stainless is an awesome shaver. Not TOO different from a carbon, but I detect a bit of a difference... incredibly smooth shaver.

Drew

Actually, the forging of Damascuss steel is done by folding and spreading and folding and spreading and... repeating this procedure numerus times (15 for katana's edge section). This introduces more carbon into the steel by exposing larger surface each and every time the steel is flatened and folded again. And the carbon is the element that adds strengt into the edge. So, there might be something in the Damascuss razors that makes them a super nice shavers. More carbon, perhaps?

The Japanese catana swords don't use different metals in the layers, they only use layering method to introduce more carbon (from the charcoal in the forge) into the iron.

urleebird wrote:

superfly... You provided some very accurate and useful information.
One clarification. The pattern in today's damascus is not made by the acid etch, it is merely highlighted. The pattern is already there.

Yes, that is true, I forgot to mention that the pattern is not made, but highlighted with acid, thanx...

So, I guess the only way to know is to get one of theese beauties, uh?

And, people who have them, what are you waiting, sit down and write full review.

My understanding is that both wootz and pattern welded Damascus steel are folded and spread, folded and spread until a certain number of layers is acheived. approx 300-500 layers, as a general rule.

The wootz is actually smelted iron ore plus carbon and other minerals added in then melted in a cruicible. Pattern welded is layers of previously smelted steel that are heated to a certain color then forged with a hammer or other device.
Both are heated, spread,folded,-heated,spread,folded- etc

Hope this helps,