The James Brand The Duval Rosewood Damascus, KN109159-00 Taschenmesser

This is my first review on this site, although I have been a customer for years. First, I would like to mention that knivesandtools is a true no-regret shop. Absolutely fantastic. Second, this knife: being in the knife circle and having tested several knives in the mid-premium sector -mostly we-knife- I was cautious about The James Brand. Something was holding me back, though. But I bit the bullet and must say I am thoroughly impressed by the design, the package and the fit and finish. The knife is compact and very well made. My only complaint is the lock bar, which provides a good grip but could be a bit more rounded-off. Other than that, the action right out of the box is amazing. The flipper makes the blade snap into place easily and with authority. The blade can then be wiggled shut by its own weight (it is too light to be drop shut). The rosewood handle feels very smooth and adds a rounded design to the 6al4v titanium frame, which is nicely finished and features a very angular, cornered design. This contrast is clearly well thought out and executed. The blade features a DS93X blade finished / etched in alternating matte & glossy finish for maximum contrast of the layers. I have no experience with this steel which, by its specs, appears a great choice. From my research, it appears to feature two different powder steels (RWL34 and PMC27), hardenable up to 64HRC and is rust-free. How well it sharpens remains to be seen. The geometry is slicey. A thin blade stock with a very respectable out-of-the box sharpness. This knife has convinced me on first sight.