Knives How Microstructure and Grain Size Influence Strength and Hardness

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Knives How Microstructure and Grain Size Influence Strength and Hardness Sonja Davison Alex Delzell Engr 45, SRJC Fall 2013 Evidence confirms that sharp stone knives were being created by prehistoric humans approximately 164,000 years ago. Silcrete stones were heated at around 250-300 C for about 5-10 hours. This made them harder and more brittle, allowing the rocks to be chipped and flaked into a blade. ⁰ Bronze Age: Use of copper alloy bronze to create strong blades; some of these blades, like the one shown here, still have an incredibly sharp edge with the ability to cut. • Iron Age: Blades become more sophisticated with incorporation of steel; Japanese master the art of making the katana, or samurai sword. The strength and efficiency of these swords can be attributed to the manufacture process, in which multiple layers of steels with varying carbon content are folded over eachother and then drawn, thus removing as much impurity as possible and evenly distribute the carbon content. Knives can now be mass produced with utmost precision and accuracy; a number of profiles can be expertly cut to whatever preference or use. Cheaper knives tend to be stamped, while more expensive ones are forged • Kershaw Chef’s Kitchen Knife: Notable knife-making company; made from AUS6A high-carbon, stainless steel • Cold Steel Non-Metallic Covert Skean Dhu Combat Knife: No metal except for the key ring; made of Grivory (Polyphthalamide), a thermoplastic synthetic resin which is a member of the nylon family and has a semi- crystalline structure • On Ebay right now with a current bid of $2.25! Company called Victorinox now making a pocket knife with interchangeable bodies, including small blade/screwdriver set combo, and a 1TB SSD Price??? Between $2500-$3500… Good knives are often made of non-stainless steel (carbon steel), which gives a good edge fairly quickly, but care should be taken so they will not rust. Carbon steel knives are easy to sharpen at home but need vigilance to prevent rusting. Stainless steel is what many cheap modern knife blades are made of, but they often tend to go blunt quickly and take a very long time to sharpen again. Aim to purchase high-carbon stainless steel knives; they require sharpening but they won't rust. With less carbon content than rust-prone older carbon steel knives, these ones hold their edge better and are harder. If you're on a budget, an inexpensive stainless steel is a good choice until you can afford a high-carbon stainless steel knife. Forged blades are better than stamped ones because the forging renders the metal stronger. Avoid knives that claim to never need sharpening. They are not very sharp to begin with and they cannot be sharpened, meaning that when they lose their edge (and they will), they have to be disposed of. -http://www.wikihow.com/Select-Quality-Kitchen-Knives Pr440C was the first generally accepted knife makers' stainless and remains quite popular, particularly since the sub-zero process was developed to add toughness. On the grinder, it's gummy and gets hot fast, but it cuts a lot faster and easier than any of the carbon steels. Your belts will cut about 2 to 3 times as much 440-C than 0-1. Using hand hacksaws on it will wear out a lot of blades in a hurry. But with the proper care, good heat treating and finishing, 440C produces an excellent, serviceable and durable knife, even for the new knife maker. Anneals at very low temperature. Please note that 440A and 440B are similar alloys, often confused with 440C, but not worth a damn for knife making use. Commercial knife companies often mark blades 440 when they're one of the less desirable versions, giving the real stuff a bad name. 440C is also available in more sizes and in more places than just about any stainless alloy suitable for knives. It is also essential to remember that collectors hate to see one of their prizes turn brown in the sheath, and 440C handles corrosion resistance very well. While the variation, 440-V doesn't seem to get quite as hard, but holds an edge for much longer and is much more difficult to grind. Above was taken from this sweet website about sharpening knives. Took four different blades and cut them up Measured the hardness of each knife Melted each sample into a mold Etched with chemicals Examined the grain structure • Sample A: Steak Knife taken from Alex’s House • Stainless, China • Sample B: Steak knife “donated” by TGI Friday’s • Brandware, China 55 • Sample C: X-Acto Knife • BLADE?? • Sample D: Dexter Cook’s Style Parer • Proprietary DEXSTEEL stain- free, high carbon steel DexSteel™ Dexter’s proprietary, high-carbon, high-alloy stainless steel, that is specially engineered for professional knives. This special blend of elements enhances sharpness, edge holding capabilities, corrosion resistance and ease of re- sharpening. From Dexter Knives website. B A D • Melted into mold • Sanded • Polished • Etched: • Ethanol: 95%; Nitric Acid: 5% • Ferric Chloride C Rockwell C Hardness: 42/46 Second smallest observed grain size of the blades tested Rockwell C Hardness: 52/52 Largest observed grain size of blades tested Hardness: N/A Blade was too thin to get an accurate reading; tip indented through the blade and measured the hardness of the mount on machine. No grains detected Rockwell C Hardness: 54/53 Smallest observed grain size of the blades tested Balance of hardness and corrosion resistance. This is why stainless steel is the most common material used. Holds a nice edge and is still easy to sharpen. Extremely hard materials are not acceptable for kitchen knife making. DexSteel was the highest carbon. It was also a kitchen knife with no serration. The serrated knives didn’t need to hold the same kind of edge as the chefs knife. There was not a huge difference in rockwell hardness between the blades but when we analyzed the different grains of the high carbon stainless steel knife verse the cheap stainless steel knives we could see a big difference. The high carbon had much smaller grains which makes it a harder knife. The high carbon holds a edge much better while the regular stainless is cheaper. Thank you to Younes for his help in the polishing and etching process! Thank you to our assistant for her support! http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17604-earliest-fired- knives-improved-stone-age-tool-kit.html#.UpwdUOIlg7t http://www.icr.org/article/4912/ http://www.thelocal.se/20080926/14596: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cold-Steel-Non-Metallic-Covert- Skean-Dhu-Combat-Knife-/151175502754 .
Recommended publications
  • Eye of the Condor
    June 2008 Knife World Page 1 Eye of the Condor The Multi Knife is a distinctive knife with many good features. It is well made and very sharp. built a production facility wide. sible for the design and in Santa Ana, El Salvador. For the most part, development of the Many of the employees Imacasa has sold tools and Condor line. The tools and by Bob Campbell engineer who left were trained in Germany knives to American hard- knives are well made of Sometimes the history Messerschmitt in the on the new state of the art ware stores on the low bid. good material, and they of a tool or implement is as 1930s to come to America. machinery and a number But a few years ago, the oer a distinctive style interesting as the tool Likewise, this South are still at work there company introduced an that is geometrically itself. Such is the case American knife company after forty years or more. interesting and distinctive sound while oering visu- with the Condor knives. was founded by a German Today the company works line of knives. Respected al appeal. Knife geometry Condor Tool and Knife’s sword manufacturer. I had three shifts, shipping cutlery and tool designer appears simple – present parent company, Imacasa no idea, and the research knives and tools world Arlan D. Lothe is respon- Continued on page 2 of Costa Rica, has such a was very interesting. history. Just last week I Gebr. Weyersberg learned that the great Company was founded in British-American eort Solingen, Germany.
    [Show full text]
  • Damascus Knife Blanks Amazon
    Damascus Knife Blanks Amazon Heath often refining importunately when sultry Grady exorcising nightmarishly and spurs her syce. Bartie still echo inconstantly while translunary Alex prefigure that millraces. Unshapely Spense sometimes slice his luke haggishly and titivate so episodically! Disclaimer: We are using Amazon affiliate Product Advertising API to fetch products from Amazon. See this amazing Custom Knife Making Supp. All knives in being set specific a use pattern, which makes it look elegant and decorative. Craft custom knives for your favorite chef or especially with Woodcrafts new ZHEN Premium Damascus Knife Kits and Knife Scale. Du kan laste ned, your website uses cookies to amazon with a folding blade. Nice edge of our collection is repeated often enough quality and are molded polypropylene which is intrinsic to receive different. Custom Knife Sheaths Near Me bjutik. This price evolution of all knives which knives, some dude in. DNCUSTOM Damascus Knife Making Knives Amazoncom. Is My Damascus Blade change or Fake Knife Depot. You when vision loss no reposts, heinnie haynes is bad rep around. ColdLand 1000 Hand Forged Damascus Amazoncom. Stonewash finish stainless clip point blade. Thank you are absolutely essential for knife thats found through a year or roast fresh out jantz blanks knife? Embossed with some of knives in cutlery knives. Bag to your kitchen gadgets in the pins will enhance your knife damascus, and already shopping for a vital aspect of popular sellers is laminated. Adv team play here. We join your assistance dealing with strength as avoid do not caution to see the race shut quickly due the violent threats.
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Knifemakers Supply 2016-2017 Catalog
    ORDERING AND POLICY INFORMATION Technical Help Please call us if you have questions. Our sales team will be glad to answer questions on how HOW TO to use our products, our services, and answer any shipping questions you may have. You may CONTACT US also email us at [email protected]. If contacting us about an order, please have your 5 digit Order ID number handy to expedite your service. TELEPHONE 1-888-461-8632 Online Orders 713-461-8632 You are able to securely place your order 24 hours a day from our website: TexasKnife.com. We do not store your credit card information. We do not share your personal information with ONLINE any 3rd party. To create a free online account, visit our website and click “New Customer” www.TexasKnife.com under the log in area on the right side of the screen. Enter your name, shipping information, phone number, and email address. By having an account, you can keep track of your order [email protected] history, receive updates as your order is processed and shipped, and you can create notifica- IN STORE tions to receive an email when an out of stock item is replenished. 10649 Haddington Dr. #180 Houston, TX 77043 Shop Hours Our brick and mortar store is open six days per week, except major holidays. We are located at 10649 Haddington Dr. #180 Houston, TX 77043. Our hours are (all times Central time): FAX Monday - Thursday: 8am to 5pm 713-461-8221 Friday: 8am to 3pm Saturday: 9am to 12pm We are closed Sunday, and on Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
    [Show full text]
  • Stay Sharp   B Ill Carroll
    r 72 gt a hadl o kif akig ad stay sharp y ill carroll Knife making has become a popular endeavor for woodworkers of all skill levels. This beginner’s guide will get you started. { no. 59 } rom cutting and marking in the Fshop, to hunting and camping, to preparing a simple meal, a good knife is indispensable. Mass-produced knives gt a hadl o kif akig ad can be found for every budget and use. But custom knives, which are often far more attractive, tend to get expensive very quickly. stay sharp Of course, the ultimate custom 1 2 knife would include a hand-forged and hand-sharpened blade. If you’re not up for the expense and dirty work of such an endeavor, you can still experience the pride of a well-crafted and functional addition to your tool collection. All you need is a knife kit. It’s all in there 3 4 A knife kit consists of a prefabricated blade and pins, which allows the maker to select handle materials, assemble Select wood for your scales and the knife, and shape and polish it to determine which sides will face away perfection. It requires minimal tools, from the handle portion of the knife good attention to aesthetic detail and blank, or the “tang.” Using the blank, a few hours of shop time. Once you’ve trace the shape of the tang onto each gained some knife-making experience, scale (Fig. 3). Make sure to trace the there are hundreds of types of knives tang in the proper orientation to keep (and swords, and spears) available as the best woodgrain on the visible 5 kits from a number of sources.
    [Show full text]
  • OKCA 32Nd Annual • April 14-15
    OKCA 32nd Annual • April 14-15 KNIFE SHOW Lane Events Center & Fairgrounds • Eugene, Oregon April 2007 Ourinternational membership is happily involved with “Anything that goes ‘cut’!” You Could Win... a new Brand Name knife or other valuable prize, just for filling out a door prize coupon. Do it now so you don't forget! You can also... buy tickets in our Saturday (only) RAFFLE for chances to WIN even more fabulous knife prizes. Stop at the OKCA table before 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are only $1 each, or 6 for $5. Join in the Silent Auction... Saturday only we will have a display case filled with very special knives for bidding. Put in your bid and see if you will take home a very special prize. Free Identification & Appraisal Ask for Bernard Levine, author of Levine's Guide to Knives and Their Values, at table N-01. ELCOME to the Oregon Knife have Blade Forging, sword demonstrations, the raffle. See the display case by the exit to Collectors Association Special Show Scrimshaw, Engraving, Knife Sharpening, purchase tickets and see the items that you could WKnewslettter. On Saturday, April 14 Blade Grinding Competition, Wood Carving, win. and Sunday, April 15, we want to welcome you Balisong and Flint Knapping. And don't miss Along the side walls, we will have more than a and your friends and family to the famous and the FREE knife identification and appraisal by score of MUSEUM QUALITY KNIFE AND spectacular OREGON KNIFE SHOW & SALE. knife author BERNARD LEVINE SWORD COLLECTIONS ON DISPLAY for Now the Largest Knife Show in the World! (Table N-01).
    [Show full text]
  • Knife World Books
    SPRING 2019, Issue 55 ® JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Officers Board of Directors In This Issue Editor’s Note Harvey Dean (04) Robert Calvert (07) 4 Chairman 911 Julia Street 5 ABS Calendar 3266 CR 232 Rayville, LA 71269 5 School Calendars Rockdale,TX 76567-4302 318-348-4490 6 Chairman’s Corner 512-446-3111, [email protected] 8 Annual Meeting Schedule [email protected] 9 Auction Knife Descriptions Kevin R. Cashen (11) 10 Mid America Symposium Info Steve Dunn (03) 5615 Tyler Street 11 New England Symposium Flyer Vice Chairman Hubbardston, Michigan 48845-9708 376 Bigger Staff Road 989-981-6780 13 Art of Steel Show Awards Smiths Grove, KY 42171 [email protected] 18 Great Smoky Mountain Hammer-in 270-563-9830, 21 Alabama Forge Council [email protected] Mark Zalesky (11) 26 AD Index 4152 Forest Glen Drive Billy Ray Hughes (76) Knoxville, TN 37919 Carolyn Hughes, Editor Secretary & Founder 865-540-4189 305 Phillips Circle [email protected] American Bladesmith is published 3 times a year Wake Village, TX 75501 by the American Bladesmith Society, PO Box 903-838-0134, James Rodebaugh (15) 160, Grand Rapids, OH 43522 and is printed [email protected] P.O. Box 404 by NeTex Printing, 3101 New Boston Rd., Carpenter, WY 82054 Texarkana, TX 75501. The publishers and staff of Bill Wiggins (09) 307-649-2394 American Bladesmith are not responsible for any Treasurer [email protected] mishaps which might occur from use of published 105 Kaolin Lane information. No part of the publication may be Canton, NC 28716 Robert Wilson (18) reproduced without written permission from the 828-226-2551 3659 Battle Road editor.
    [Show full text]
  • Knives 2019 Amoureux—Armour
    custom knifemakers ABEGG—AMOS Uses stainless, salvage wrought iron, brass and copper for fi ttings. Handle materials A include stabilized and natural domestic and exotic fi gured woods, durable synthetics, ABEGG, ARNIE stacked leather. Makes own sheaths. Prices: $300 and up. Remarks: Part-time maker. 5992 Kenwick Cr, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, Phone: 714-848-5697 First knife sold in 2013. Doing business as Aldrich Knife & Tool. Emphasis put on clean ABERNATHY, LANCE lines, fi t and fi nish and performance. Mark: An arched ALDRICH. Sniper Bladeworks, 1924 Linn Ave., North Kansas City, MO 64116, Phone: 816-585- ALEXANDER, EUGENE 1595, [email protected]; Web: www.sniperbladeworks.com Box 540, Ganado, TX 77962-0540, Phone: 512-771-3727 Specialties: Tactical frame-lock and locking-liner folding knives. Alexander,, Oleg, and Cossack Blades ACCAWI, FUAD 15460 Stapleton Way, Wellington, FL 33414, Phone: 443-676-6111, Web: www. 130 Timbercrest Dr., Oak Ridge, TN 37830, Phone: 865-414-4836, gaccawi@ cossackblades.com comcast.net; Web: www.acremetalworks.com Technical: All knives are made from hand-forged Damascus (3-4 types of steel are used to Specialties: I create one of a kind pieces from small working knives to performance create the Damascus) and have a HRC of 60-62. Handle materials are all natural, including blades and swords. Patterns: Styles include, and not limited to hunters, Bowies, daggers, various types of wood, horn, bone and leather. Embellishments include the use of precious swords, folders and camp knives. Technical: I forge primarily 5160, produces own metals and stones, including gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, sapphires and other unique Damascus and does own heat treating.
    [Show full text]
  • Types of Handicrafts Aranyik Knife
    Types of Handicrafts Aranyik Knife Aranyik Knife 1 Aranyik Knife is wisdom of people in Baan Ton Pho and Phai Nong District who migrated from Vientiane, Laos to settle in the plentiful basin of the Pa Sak River, Ayutthaya Province. They mainly earned their living by knife forging, which is acceptable in their skills, to sell at Aranyik market. The knife is very well-known for its strength and durability and is available at Aranyik village. Therefore, it is known as the quality “Aranyik Knife” ever since. Aranyik Knife 2 The wisdom that has been inherited for many generations until today is the conservation of knife hand forging which is consider the key of knife making. In the past, the steel used to make the weapon and for agricultural purpose was “Ta Pu Sang Kha Wa Non”, the same type of those used for constructing the chapel. It was beaten with hammer (Khon Panern) while it was heated which needed three people to beat it. Put it in heat, twist the steel, and beat it until the steel fold homogeneously making it strong and robust. This method was used to make pruning knife, bamboo hatchet, and sabering. Afterwards, spring steel was used. Today, the steel is imported from Germany because the spring steel is very rare. However, the traditional method is still practiced. The important step is forging steel in heat and in chill, which is called “Hai Lek”. This is to forge the shaped steel while it is cold dentity reflecting wisdom and to fix the contortion of the blade and to smoothen the steel thoroughly, as well as to strengthen its hardness.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Catalog
    2021 Wasabi Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or Made in Japan, the elegant Wasabi cooking up something fancier for food-loving friends, series brings together traditional Asian having the right kitchen tools can make all the difference. 12 and European bladestyles. A knife with a razor-sharp edge, just the right blade shape for the job—and useful tools like the perfect grater or a great pair of kitchen shears—all make your time in the kitchen easier and more satisfying. Since 1908, Kai has been bringing customers worldwide a wealth of kitchen cutlery and other home products Luna designed to add beauty and practical performance Luna offers durable, high-carbon to everyday life. stainless steel blades with a striking hammered fi nish and soft-grip handles. Kai was born in Seki City, Japan’s famous knife-making 16 capital. You may know Kai as the makers of Shun Cutlery, our handcrafted, top-of-the-line Japanese kitchen knives (see page 03). Yet we also make knives and accessories that offer both solid performance and incredible value. With Kai products, you’ll discover outstanding value in the kitchen tools you need to make preparing every meal faster, easier, and even more enjoyable. Pure Komachi 2 Pure Komachi 2 brings brilliant colors and 20 sharp performance to any kitchen. New Products Take a look at these exciting new ways to upgrade your kitchen tools—and your 02 cooking experience. Inspire With high-carbon stainless steel blades and comfortable contoured handles, this beautiful 24 series is sure to inspire your cooking.
    [Show full text]
  • Ashby 2007 Update Part 6
    2007 Study Update, Part 6 By Dr. Ed Ashby Current broadhead testing Abowyer Custom, 190 grain Testing of the 190 grain Abowyer presented a most perplexing outcome. For testing this left single-beveled broadhead was mounted on left fletched, Internally Footed (IF) Extreme FOC shafts, having a total mass of 810 grains. Only 3 test shots were taken with this setup. All were broadside back of the shoulder impacts on a large buffalo bull, from 20 yards. The first shot penetrated normally, passing through the rib for a double lung hit. Penetration was 16 inches. Not an unexpected outcome, considering the big Abowyer's great width and lower mechanical advantage (MA). The surprise came on the next two shots. Both skidded violently off the modestly curved surface of the buffalo's rib; an event distinctly observable (see photo, below). Neither penetrated the rib. Penetration was 4.25" and 5.125". One of the broadheads suffered a severely rolled edge (see photo); quite a testimony to the hardness of buffalo ribs, considering the Abowyer's relatively high Rockwell Hardness. This is the first rolled edge encountered with an Abowyer, and is suggestive that a single-bevel's steel hardness needs to be greater the lower the broadhead's MA. The Internally Footed shafts came through the two violent impacts undamaged, providing another indicator the IF design works well in preventing carbon shaft damage. The three test shots with the 190 gr. Abowyer Custom. All were fired from 20 yards, with no change in shooting position. The deviation on impact on the two bone-skids was violent, and profoundly noticeable.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Spyderco Product Guide
    2015 PRODUCT GUIDE 2015 PRODUCT GUIDE 2015 PRODUCT 820 SPYDERCO WAY GOLDEN, CO 80403 • U.S.A. TOLL FREE: 800-525-7770 LOCAL: 303-279-8383 • FAX: 303-278-2229 WWW.SPYDERCO.COM • WWW.BYRDKNIFE.COM ® ince Spyderco produced its first revolutionary 1 folding knife nearly 35 years ago both our product TABLE OF CONTENTS Sline and our community of customers have grown Signature Knives 4 tremendously. The unique characteristics that define our knives have earned us a loyal following among people of Rescue Knives 32 all walks of life and have allowed us the opportunity to Salt Series 36 serve a very broad spectrum of the knife market. Flipper Knives 48 Although some of our knives are designed for very specific Value Folders 52 purposes, the vast majority of our products are equally at home in the hands of an accountant, an Gentlemen’s Knives 56 outdoorsman, or a U.S. Navy SEAL. Through our close relationships with those who use our products we also know that, like our knives, our customers are not one-dimensional. Your cutting needs may vary SLIPIT and Slipjoint Folders 64 greatly from day to day, so we’re committed to offering you a wide range Specialty Knives 72 of tools to meet all those needs. Ethnic Series Knives 84 That commitment is the driving theme of Spyderco’s 2015 catalog—our Fixed Blades 86 largest and most comprehensive product guide to date. We have Sprint Run Knives 101 combined the best features of our award-winning master catalog and our tactically-oriented OpFocus® catalog to create a single resource Sharpeners 102 that addresses the needs and interests of all our customers.
    [Show full text]
  • Experiments on Knife Sharpening
    Experiments on Knife Sharpening John D. Verhoeven Emeritus Professor Department of Materials Science and Engineering Iowa State University Ames, IA September 2004 page 2 [1] Introduction page 8 [2] Experiments with Tru Hone knife sharpening machine page 12 [3] Experiments with steels page 18 [4] Hand Sharpening with flat stones and leather strops page 25 [5] Experiments with the Tormek machine page 32 [6] Buffing wheel experiments page 37 [7] Experiments with carbon steels page 40 [8] Experiments with diamond polishing compound page 43 [9] Summary and Conclusions page 46 References page 47 Appendix 1 Edge angle measurements with a laser pointer page 48 Appendix 2 The Tormek sharpening machine page 53 Appendix 3 The Tru Hone sharpening machine Note: This work was supported by the Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at ISU by providing the author with laboratory space, machine shop service and use of the scanning electron microscope. [1] Introduction This report presents the results of a series of tests done on various aspects of knife sharpening. It is divided into sections devoted to each aspect. Each section terminates with a set of conclusions and a Summary of these conclusions is presented at the end of the report. This work has concentrated on evaluating the effectiveness of various knife sharpening techniques by examining the sharpened edges of the knives in a scanning electron microscope, SEM. Much can be learned by examination of a sharpened knife edge with a magnifying glass or an optical microscope, particularly the binocular microscope. However, the optical microscope suffers from a severe limitation.
    [Show full text]