KnifeCenter FAQ #131: Is Damascus Steel Good?

Quite an excellent explanation of the modern Damascus offerings.....
A video dedicated to the Weed level discussion of most knife steels would be most welcome...!!!

Ur video new knives of September doesn't work it just loads n loads an won't work says uploaded 45mins ago

i realized what matters most is how proper and clean the metal mix is and if the maker did the heat treating right, you can tell the cheap/improperly made stuff with the dirty metal with the big particles that chip and chatter easy at the edge its trash and u have to dull it and redo the edge but it will probably chip again cause the maker was AZZ/cheap

Hey DCA, I always enjoy your videos and recommendations. I have a couple Civivi exarchs and recently purchased a Kizer De L’orme. I really like the clean look of these knives and how they almost don’t even look like a knife at first glance. Looking for some recommendations of similar knives within the same price range. Preferably front flippers but not a deal breaker if not. Thank you.

“Uhh damascus is bad, mmkay? If you do damascus, you’re bad. Mmkay? Because damascus is bad. Mmkay?” -Mr. Mackey

Looking for a knife similar to a Bastinelli Mako, but with a blade more like a CRKT Otanashi Noh Ken

Hello DCA I'm looking for an inexpensive small fixed blade for cutting bait and fishing line that won't ever rust

I only have one kind of Damascus knife. It is a Japanese san mai hunter. It’s beautiful and performs quite well. It has a traditional round rosewood handle and a differently designed double flapped sheath closure that I haven’t seen before is since. Thanks for your hard work! 🔪🎸

Hello DCA. and Thomas, what is your favorite gentleman's damascus folder and your favorite outdoors damascus knife, bushcraft, or hunter/tactical?

Hey DCA and crew! What is the difference between G-carta and micarta? Thanks!

You will get drastically different performance and other characteristics depending on the heat treat protocol. No company heat treats the same so you suggesting performance will be similar to something else is wrong. Factually.

Hi DCA and crew, I have an important question that I would like your opinion on, I'm about to buy my first 'high end' knife for around $100 and I need help deciding between the Spartan Talos, the ANV Z200, or the Civivi Banneret.
I'm looking for a hard working formal knife that will last me a good long while and will feel special when I receive it , thanks.
ps: I'm open to suggestions.

Hi DCA, Thomas and Seth. Thank you for the great content, it is always super nice to watch your videos! Here comes the question : sometimes, I eat with my EDC, I like meat with mustard and mechanically use the blade to put the latter on the former. Even on 14C28N or S30V blades, a patina appears where the mustard touches the blade. Of course, it is worse with non stainless steels. Is there anything to do to remove this patina or will the blade keep it forever? Thank you!

How does Damascus differ from composite blades like the Kershaw 1660CBBW Ken Onion Leek Assisted Flipper Knife 3" Blackwash Composite CPM-D2 Plain Blade and Stainless Steel Handles?

Hey DCA! Ive been carrying a CRKT M21-14DSFG everyday for almost 9 years. In my landscaping and irrigation work I have never found myself wishing I had a SMALLER knife. It's rugged, capable, the dual flipper is a huge plus, in fact, I love everything about it except two things: the Veff serrations are terrible and it's completely worn (or beaten...) to death.
Can you recommend a large, dual-flipper, tip up carry work horse as a replacement?
Budget up to $100.
Thanks...y'all rock!

I need an EDC beater. I really like the becker 41 and the beckere 40D2. Also like the Kershaw mini-skyline. I would prefer D2 or better steal, and at least a 3 inch knife, but will take the slightly smaller bk41. I'm really liking the Kershaw Mini-Skline too. However, your "what's new from Boker" segment has me really liking the Boker Kihon crossbar. Out of those, should I just wait for boker Kihon? I'm a big fan of the Knafs and the dozier, but don't like the lock on the doziers. Help!! Analysis paralysis has set in. Make up my mind for me, please.

More and more I’ve been carrying a fixed blade for my daily carry, Bradford Guardian 3, Giant Mouse GMF1, Grohmann #2. I’ve been looking for a fixed blade with a carbide glass breaker with no success, plenty of folders though. Is there anything out there short of going custom?

I'm a knife knerd, but you're the best knife knerd out there! God bless 🤠🗡️

Is there a way to find out what the most iconic knife per brand is? Is there a way to look up sales volume? How about the top 3 per brand? I have my own list but I wonder how it compares to reality.

I got the Spyderco love how it feels in the hand, mostly a show piece!

Related question, does "copper damascus" where layers of copper which is much softer than steel are added significantly weaken the knife blade? It looks nice for display pieces, but is it a bad idea for an EDC knife?

Is it possible to make a Damascus out of like S30v and maybe 14c28n?

Could start seeing some good performance in lower priced stuff. Damasteel is pretty legit even for a working knife, but costs.. $700+ for a folding knife with it.

Hi DCA, is Benchmade mini Adamas tough enough to cut in half the human thigh bone? Both along and across??

DCA, Got a question that's been on my mind for years. Before collecting knives I used to collect swords. It was many years ago but that is where my love for blades first came from. Back then "supersteels" didn't exist so now I wonder what would be the very best steel for a sword made from today's supersteel that would be used for sword to sword combat? Would anything we have today seriously out perform those traditional carbon steels from the time?

🤓

Sweden have Damasteel stainless steel . ✨👶✨🔪

Hey David and Thomas! I have an issue where I like all the nicest things in life... but I’m broke lol idk if this question will make much sense to everyone but what would you say is the most “Graily-est” folder out there for around $100??🧐 thanks guys, love the videos

Just want to compliment you on the excellent Damascus tutorial!
Very helpful!
Thank you.

Hi DCA, i've been looking for a small edc fixed blade for a while and came across the Artisan Cutlery Sea Snake. It's amazing but I don't like the blade shape. Then i came across the Joker Avispa and it's beautiful and I will probably buy it. What do you think about joker avispa as the first edc fixed blade and do you have any other good recomendations in the 50/60$ przez point?

I personally do not have a problem with "the weeds". Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

I’m pretty new to EDC knife world. Love your shows, I have learned so much, keep it up!

I picked up a CRKT Piet based on reviews. I love the looks, the shaped molded handles, the blade shape and slicing ability. It’s awesome for the price point. I don’t like the side to side blade play. Any other similar knives in aesthetics and blade shape/sliciness up to $250 that you would recommend? Thanks.

Hello DCA & Company. Do you have any suggestions for a great food prep folding knife? Preferably one that is easy to clean while being stainless. Thank you in advance.

Hey DCA and Gang, Question for you! I am a relatively new Bladesmith and knife maker (2 years in give or take) and have personally been trying to find my apex of form and function! I was curious about who you think as far as designers/makers are doing the best job of striking the balance between form and function? Feel free to explore outside the realm of pocket knives and of course the more examples the better ;) Thanks and have a lovely day!

DCA, can you talk about some utilitarian boot knives that you would consider “duty grade”? I work outdoors so corrosion resistance would be a priority. Thanks.

On the topic of damascus, i was surprised you did not mention DamasCore, which is technically a san-mai of high performance powder metallurgy steel cladded with damasteel. For the steel geeks out there, it's quite a big deal.

Hey DCA, do you know of any modern equivalents of the Indian Kataar / Kataari (cross handle push dagger) blades made by any reliable brands? I for one cannot find one and the TOPS modern gladius got me thinking in this direction. Any suggestion would be useful. Thanks

What’s up DCA, Thomas, Seth and the crew? Thank you for all the videos. Sadly my wallet has bats flying out of it most months of any given year so I drool over the exclusives… and that made me wonder: if any of you could choose any kind of knife, in any kind of configuration with no limits regarding cost, steel, materials, etc, what would you pick? For me personally I would love a 3V or cruwear Benchmade Griptilian with blue titanium or Desert Ironwood handles, gold hardware, and a stonewashed blade.

Love that Monument.

I make knives, and your advice is spot on. You just have to start anywhere, and the rest will fall into place. Don't get discouraged. If it doesn't work the first few times, you will learn from it and it will make you better at what you do.

Hey DCA could you go into more depth of steels being the same just different names like cpm20cv ,m390 and CTS204p for example thanks - Justin

Someone who I think is a truly fabulous knife maker, Ray Rantanen, is not a stainless steel fan. Maybe the issues are resolved to a degree now, but when you put the stainless into steel, you lose a lot of edge retention and toughness. He uses three steels together, in his Damascus knives. One of them is mild steel, which he says, when used, wears away a bit, exposing layers of the tougher steels, effectively self-sharpening the knives, to a degree. He also has ways of getting good performance, from some lower carbon steels.

Hello DCA and Thomas, keep up your great work, I learned a lot about knives while having fun watching your videos. My question is related to handling a crossbar lock. When flicking it closed I push the back end of the handle into my palm which led to cutting myself with the tip of the blade 🤦‍♀️ Happened with the Real Steel Sacra as well as with the Benchmade 940. Any ideas what I am doing wrong? Best Regards,
Jens

Cane you use denim to polish your edge ? 😅

In the weeds……😂😂😂

I'm fairly new to the knife world and have started to amass a collection that I really do enjoy. Some Spyderco's, Kizers, Ritter, GiantMouse, and WE. I'm trying to make sure no two knives are exactly the same as far as materials go, with the exception of a few Kizers in S35VN that I recently picked up because the sale prices were too good to pass up. Most of my knives are right around 3" or under for legal reasons. But although there are differences, they all kind of serve the same purpose, EDC. I'm looking to branch out a bit and get something "different" around the 3" length. Price, $300 and below. Thanks in advance!!

...on the "u & seth both cut ur own hair" comment... as a master barber may i just say... it shows... go see a trained professional guys... (haha) ...& on that note, whos a "trained professional" that i could use to do some knife scale swapping for those of us afraid of tackling the assisted opening function of a kershaw or a zt...??? thank u

Thanks for the answer! 😊

Hey DCA, I'm looking for an EDC made with a stainless steel that has top notch toughness, but isn't Magnacut. Can you give me 2 other steel options please?

Hello form Tulsa. I have an old knife that I've been carrying off and on for years. It's a Diamond Edge 352. I wish I could get a new one. But no one is making it anymore. What are some old brands that you wish were still made?