Care and feeding of Damascus razors

**Kentos** · 06-09-2012, 02:08 PM

Any advice on the above? Is it more prone to staining? Does the etch wear off? Do the layers sometimes compromise the edge when the bevel happens to be right on the intersection of two layers?

That Damascus thread is making me contemplate getting one made in Damascus vs. regular steel.

**Prof. Moriarty** · 06-09-2012, 02:10 PM

Will be interesting to hear the responses, I am also interested in a Damascus razor.

**hokahay** · 06-09-2012, 02:14 PM

Here is Tim Zs user info.

The Care and Feeding of your Zowada Damascus Razor.
http://www.tzknives.com/razorcare.html

**professorchaos** · 06-09-2012, 04:28 PM

Treat it pretty much like any other razor.

**Kentos** · 06-09-2012, 09:24 PM

Thanks Henry. SWMBO won't be happy

**mdunn** · 06-09-2012, 11:23 PM

Yep. Like any other razor.

I hear anecdotal issues in the creation of the blade if the edge is right on a join. Make sure whoever is making it knows their stuff and has made Damascus razors more than a few times before, otherwise you may have issues

**hokahay** · 06-10-2012, 08:09 AM

You need to use tape if you don't want to hone off the pattern.

**professorchaos** · 06-10-2012, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Kentos

Thanks Henry. SWMBO won't be happy

Because it will make it easier for you to have more?

**MileMarker60** · 06-10-2012, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Kentos

Any advice on the above? Is it more prone to staining? Does the etch wear off? Do the layers sometimes compromise the edge when the bevel happens to be right on the intersection of two layers?

That Damascus thread is making me contemplate getting one made in Damascus vs. regular steel.

Staining - Not really, treat it like any other razor (ie: clean after use, oil if your not using it)
Etching - Can the etching wear off - yes. Realistically, the greater concern would be not maintaining the blade and it rusting.
If it rusts, you would clean it up just like any other razor, with either sandpaper or a buffer. At that point, you would have to re-etch the blade.
Edge - As long as the edge is protected when etched, there shouldn't be a problem.
Long story, made some what shorter, most high carbon pattern welded steels are made of 1095 steel and 15n20 steel.
Both steels are very similar, the difference being the 15n20 steel has added nickel which helps it resist the etching.

**Kentos** · 06-10-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

Staining - Not really, treat it like any other razor (ie: clean after use, oil if your not using it)
Etching - Can the etching wear off - yes. Realistically, the greater concern would be not maintaining the blade and it rusting.
If it rusts, you would clean it up just like any other razor, with either sandpaper or a buffer. At that point, you would have to re-etch the blade.
Edge - As long as the edge is protected when etched, there shouldn't be a problem.
Long story, made some what shorter, most high carbon pattern welded steels are made of 1095 steel and 15n20 steel.
Both steels are very similar, the difference being the 15n20 steel has added nickel which helps it resist the etching.

Thanks Brian. Damascus it is!