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What a nice surprise

tosh · 7 · 649
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gb Offline tosh

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What a nice surprise
on: October 19, 2025, 11:38:13 PM
Not sure how it happened
But at work last Friday making a simple  fixed blade knife popped up in conversation. Someone mentioned folding steel (kneading it). I said I thought the process was similar to Damascus?? (I’ve been away from MT’o a long time !!)
I then suddenly remembered I owned a Victorinox Carl Elsener  Damascus Explorer  from 2013

It’s buried in the loft with the rest of my collection.
I’ve googled tonight and read  7,000 were manufactured, so hardly rare 🤣

Just curious though, is the blade  truly Damascus or is it just made to look like Damascus?

I remember when I got mine, the finish on the oak scales was rubbish so complained and returned it to Victorinox for a replacement (which wasn’t much better as I recall).
« Last Edit: October 19, 2025, 11:43:41 PM by tosh »
I don't claim to know it all, but what I do know is right.

us Offline powernoodle

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #1 on: October 20, 2025, 01:12:00 AM
My buddy Grok said:

"Question:  Victorinox Carl Elsener Damascus Explorer Swiss Army Knife: Is the Damascus Real?

Answer:  Yes, the blade on the Victorinox Carl Elsener Damascus Explorer Swiss Army Knife (model 1.6701.J13, a 2013 Limited Edition) is made from real Damascus steel. Specifically, it uses Damasteel®, a modern, high-quality, stainless Damascus steel produced via a patented powder metallurgy process by Damasteel AB in Sweden. This is not faux-patterned or etched steel (common in lower-end "Damascus" products) but genuine pattern-welded layered steel with the characteristic watery, undulating patterns formed by folding and forging multiple alloys. It's hardened to 60 HRC for durability, edge retention, and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for a premium collector's item.

Key Details on the Knife and Steel

Background: Released in 2013 to honor Carl Elsener Sr. (Victorinox's visionary leader and grandson of founder Karl Elsener, who passed away that year), this Explorer model was his favorite. Limited to 7,000 pieces worldwide (only 520 in the US), it's a tribute edition with oak wood scales laser-engraved with his signature, an inlaid steel Victorinox cross & shield emblem, and serialized numbering.
Blade Specs: The main blade (91mm/3.6 inches, nail nick) is Damasteel® Damascus stainless steel. Other tools (e.g., small blade, corkscrew, tweezers) use standard Victorinox stainless steel.
How Damasteel® Works: Unlike historical wootz Damascus (a crucible steel with natural patterns), Damasteel® starts with powdered high-carbon and nickel alloys, hot-rolled into billets, then folded/etched to create 100–500+ layers. This results in a tougher, more consistent steel with fewer impurities than traditional methods, while retaining the aesthetic and performance (e.g., flexibility and sharpness).
Why It's "Real": Victorinox's Damascus series (annual since 2010) sources from Damasteel AB, a leader in metallurgical innovation since the 1990s. It's explicitly described as "stainless high-quality Damascus steel" across official and verified sources, not a cosmetic imitation.

This edition is discontinued and sought-after by collectors, often fetching $400–$1,000 on resale sites like eBay. If you're considering purchase, verify authenticity via Victorinox serialization and the Damasteel® watermark on the blade. For everyday use, it's functional but prized more for display."
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gb Offline tosh

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #2 on: October 20, 2025, 10:24:29 AM
Wow !!
Now THATS a reply!!  :tu:
I don't claim to know it all, but what I do know is right.

pt Offline pfrsantos

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #3 on: October 20, 2025, 06:44:09 PM
Quote from: tosh on October 20, 2025, 10:24:29 AM
Wow !!
Now THATS a reply!!  :tu:
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us Offline Farmer X

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #4 on: October 20, 2025, 08:08:55 PM
Quote from: powernoodle on October 20, 2025, 01:12:00 AM
This is not faux-patterned or etched steel (common in lower-end "Damascus" products) but genuine pattern-welded layered steel...
I knew a $10 "Damascus" blade would be etched, but I didn't know it was possible to pattern-weld stainless steel. You really do learn something new every day! :hatsoff:
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Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

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us Offline powernoodle

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #5 on: October 20, 2025, 09:14:14 PM
 :tu:   :cheers:
:doggy: :doggy: :doggy:
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au Offline Huntsman

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Re: What a nice surprise
Reply #6 on: October 21, 2025, 07:02:14 AM
Quote from: tosh on October 20, 2025, 10:24:29 AM
Wow !!
Now THATS a reply!!  :tu:

Absolutely

The reply is a great example of what AI can do and how it is not always 100% correct !!    8)    :o 

Take this sentence:
Quote
Released in 2013 to honor Carl Elsener Sr. (Victorinox's visionary leader and grandson of founder Karl Elsener, who passed away that year), this Explorer model was his favorite.
This is a grammatical one!
To me the bracket is in the wrong place, as it gives the impression that the first Karl Elsener passed away in 2013!
So to me it should read:
Quote
Released in 2013 to honor Carl Elsener Sr. (Victorinox's visionary leader and grandson of founder Karl Elsener), who passed away that year, this Explorer model was his favorite.

Then the factual issues:
The article says the 2013 Damascus Explorer had tweezers and a Damasteel® watermark on the blade.
Neither of which is true!! :o

And what is a steel watermark anyway? - Does it really mean tang stamp?  !!     :think:

But of course the benefits far outweigh the errors - As it's a fantastic and informative article, with lots of true facts !
And something that I could not write (well given a day I might be able to!!)


PS. @Tosh - I remember your complaints about the CE Explorer back in 2013  :o  .... and TBH - the scales on the one I bought were not great either. Bit disappointing in that the most expensive thing I bought from Vic was the poorest quality!
 
« Last Edit: October 21, 2025, 08:56:08 AM by Huntsman »
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