A few questions about lamination

[I.V]

Hi all,
I have a coule of questions about the process, first, how is it done? To be exact, how are the different steels put together and heat treated?

I have only one laminated knife (a U2) and I'm more than happy with it, I started looking around for the pros and cons of laminated blades, what I came up with is that the blades are more flexible, tougher and more corrosion resistant (obvisouly depending on the steel used as the exterior but from what I've seen most use something softer, tougher and more corrosion resistant as it only makes sense).
The only con I was able to find is that the outer softer layer scraches easily (which isn't of any importance in a work knife if you ask me...).

I also read that in the end, laminated blades are cheaper to produce, especially because it means cutting much thinner sheets of steel and buying less expensive steel for the core.

All of this leads me to my second question: assuming the information I read is correct, why do we not see a lot more laminated blades being offered?

My last question is, can the steel core be laminated with other metals other than steel? lets say, bronze or titanium for example?

 

[knarfeng]

Hi all,
I have a coule of questions about the process, first, how is it done? To be exact, how are the different steels put together and heat treated?

I have only one laminated knife (a U2) and I'm more than happy with it, I started looking around for the pros and cons of laminated blades, what I came up with is that the blades are more flexible, tougher and more corrosion resistant (obvisouly depending on the steel used as the exterior but from what I've seen most use something softer, tougher and more corrosion resistant as it only makes sense).
The only con I was able to find is that the outer softer layer scraches easily (which isn't of any importance in a work knife if you ask me...).

I also read that in the end, laminated blades are cheaper to produce, especially because it means cutting much thinner sheets of steel and buying less expensive steel for the core.

All of this leads me to my second question: assuming the information I read is correct, why do we not see a lot more laminated blades being offered?

My last question is, can the steel core be laminated with other metals other than steel? lets say, bronze or titanium for example?

There are several types of "laminated steel". The laminated steel you read about a lot because the auto industry is starting to use it is bonded together with adhesives. This may have the cost benefits you read about. The steel for knives is hot bonded together so that the metal layers weld together with no polymer. This kind of laminated steel is much more expensive to produce than single layer steel. That's why you don't see more knives with it. It is more expensive.

Using the melting technique, you could join any materials you could get to form a metallic bond. I know that in general Ti and steel do not form such bonds. You will have to ask a metallurgist about other combinations.

 

[mete]

Check the thread on 'Explosive Bonding'. In figuring costs you have to balance the cost of roll bonding laminates [bonding three layers in a rolling mill] vs the savings of the lower cost steel on the outsides. It isn't a new process and has been used for various tools to reduce costs.These days insert tooling is very common.There only the cutting edges are replaced .In any case I like my Fallkniven S-1 !! The only problem was the test on old carpet where the sand in the carpet scratched the outer layer but the core held up well !

 

[knarfeng]

I believe mete is referring to this comment on that thread:

He looks just right for a TV character !! Explosive bonding has been around for about 40 years. It will join two materials that can't be joined by other means such as steel and titanium.