The straight I got from the antique store a few months ago has Damascene stamped into the shank. Does this mean it's Damascus steel ? It doesn't look like Damascus steel just looks like carbon steel to me. Any one have an idea on this can Damascus steel not have patterns ? And if so is it better steel or is it just looks ?
Damascene ?
- Thread starter The Mick
- Start date
AFAIK, Damascene is an ambiguous term for pattern-welded steel. Whether it is actually considered to be true damascus steel is up for debate. The label is considered erroneous by some, especially since virtually all pattern-welded razors are now referred to as damascus.
Here's a lot of great information on this topic from the renowned and respected Mike Blue, as well as others: http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/razors/10617-damascus-blade.html
http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/razors/46998-why-damascus-steel-razors-so-expensive.html
Expert opinions seem to suggest that "damascus" is of no better quality than carbon or stainless and is simply admired for it's looks rather than it's performance.
Here's a lot of great information on this topic from the renowned and respected Mike Blue, as well as others: http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/razors/10617-damascus-blade.html
http://www.straightrazorplace.com/forums/razors/46998-why-damascus-steel-razors-so-expensive.html
Expert opinions seem to suggest that "damascus" is of no better quality than carbon or stainless and is simply admired for it's looks rather than it's performance.
I have an older frameback with the blade covered in pattern-steel like etchings and claiming to be "Damascus Steel". From that and other blades I have seen in photos I assume that it was a marketing ploy used by a number of manufacturers. I doubt any of them were actually Damascus or patterned steels, just using the buzz-word of the age.
- Thread starter
- #4
The word Damascene just means "of Damascus" so if Damascus steel is just a process more so than a type of steel this means nothing.
The chances are the blade is plain old carbon steel. Nothing special. Back in the day they used whatever terms they wanted, there were no consumer protection laws back then. Putting damascus or similar on the razors was very common and means nothing.
No. If it was, you'd be able to see the pattern welding.
Damascene, Damask, Damascus steel these days means pattern welded steels, usually various layers of steel with different carbon content or alloy materials. True Damascus steel is a crucible steel that has a very different pattern and properties. Look up Wootz, Bulat or pulad for examples of true damascus steel.
I would imagine a wootz razor to be something magnificent and out of the ordinary.
I would imagine a wootz razor to be something magnificent and out of the ordinary.
id say its just marketing
Well, it is, but at least Damascene is a brand name for what people THINK is damascus steel.
I am an avid sword collector, and a student and teacher in Japanese sword arts so my info on steels is not razor specific.
Wootz/bulat/pulad is an amazing steel and very few people can actually make it correctly. Look up Ivan Kirpichev from Russia one of the few masters of this steel.
Are these steels better than modern mono steels? - maybe not, but they have different properties and some may be better suited to a razor than a kitchen knife or a sword?
But Mdunn, you are correct Damascus is certainly a marketing term these days.
+1 for sure. The antique blade I got marked like this is no different than any other steel blade I have, that I can tell.
