Thread: Damascus Blade Question

I need some advice before I commit to a damascus blade: I always thought carbon steel was the best material for blades, but I see some high quality damascus blades in stainless. What are the advantages/disadvantages to carbon vs stainless for damascus blades?

Thanks!

Never seen a stainless damascus blade. That's got to be silly money. Got a link?

Originally Posted by ben.mid

Never seen a stainless damascus blade. That's got to be silly money. Got a link?

I just don't understand these kinds of comments, particularly if you have never seen one!

Lynn

Originally Posted by Lynn

I just don't understand these kinds of comments, particularly if you have never seen one!

Lynn

I was going to comment on the benefit of damascus being mainly aesthetic, then i saw he was talking about stainless damascus. I know you can get knives with it, but never heard of a razor. I did a search on the web prior to posting. I'm interested in seeing what he's seen but can't find an example. Apologies for a wasted post

I really think this boils down to who is making the razor. There are great carbon Damascus razor makers out there like Zowada, Silvano, Bergamo and I believe folks like Mike Blue etc. Mastro Livi also uses a Stainless for some of his Damascus. I am very careful with regard to rust on my carbon Damascus blades and keep a layer of Camellia Oil on them all the time particularly with my Zowada's because the etching is deep. I have not found this to be a problem with the stainless damascus. The main thing I look at on either is the Damascus pattern in the blade. I have found that the more horizontal the pattern, particularly around the edge, the better it takes an edge and keeps it. If the striations are perpendicular, I have seen the edge look more like a steak knife (microscopically).

Because of the ones I've seen that all seem to be hardened at 60 Rockwell or better, I personally have found them to be comparable from a shaving and honing standpoint.

Look and feel also play a big part here, so personal preference should also be considered.

If you have a technical type question, there are some top notch guys in the forum that should be able to help you out.

Have fun,

Lynn

I'm moving this to the razors forum, as it's not really a site question.

dw

Damascus just refers to the process used in making the razor; for more info, google "mokume gane". It's a Japanese technique of fusing two metals to produce a harder alloy with a wood-grain pattern.

I wouldn't buy a stainless Damascus, as I'm not sure what the other metal is! I'm also not sure I would get it unless the second metal were precious. Carbon steel + silver makes a worthwhile purchase, stainless + carbon seems like the metalsmith is just cheating so they can include less carbon steel, which is more expensive.

That's just my opinion.