boker cera-titan zeta

[beyondmyken]

any thoughts on this knife? Looks like a nice lightweight folder-Cabela's has them, don't know of any pics on internet. Just what is sintered titanium anyway? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[SAK]

bttt

 

[Ron B.]

I own a Zeta....Very lightweight, small and handy but hard to grip securely. Boker's Lambda also has a Cera-Titan blade but is full size with a 3&3/8" blade. The handle provides a much better grip.
As I understand it, sintering is a process in which the main metal and its alloying ingredients are finely powdered, mixed and heated below the melting point. After a specified time (sometimes months), the whole mass fuses as if it had been melted. This process allows the mixing (or alloying) of materials which would either burn off or be destroyed by the higher temperatures of melting.
Cera-Titan is a sintered titanium containing some finely ground, extremely hard ceramics (carbides) and a small amount of silver (I don't know why). The overall blade is rather soft compared to good, well tempered knife steels but Boker claims that, because of the carbide content, Cera-Titan holds an edge much longer than any steel. When it finally dulls, I have found it easy to sharpen using a ceramic rod or sharpener like the Spyderco V-Sharp. Boker recommends ceramic as the final step in the sharpening process............
I know Cera-Titan will not break as easily as a pure ceramic blade but would hazard a guess, it is not nearly as durable as a good steel. However, it holds an edge a long time, is lighter than steel and is rustPROOF. It is also non-magnetic, if that is of any importance to you.

 

[nozh2002]

How long does it hold edge in comparison to steel, according to your experience?

This is what boker claims:

Thanks, Vassili.

pics of Lambda by Michael (www.knife.ru)

 

[Ron B.]

How long does it hold edge in comparison to steel, according to your experience?

You may understand, I do not have the resources or apparatus to give exact answers. All I can report is "much longer in light use" by subjective evaluation.
I have had a Zeta since they became available and recently aquired a Lambda.
Upon aquisition, I grooved the Zeta's handle with a Dremel Tool and carbide bit, to provide a better grip. I used it extensively for several months in multiple utility tasks, carving stakes from softwood, hardwood and carving sharp points on four 2X4s. It still shaved hair from my arm as if unscathed. At no time did I stab into hardwood or use it on cans, steel drums etc; No torture tests. I then sharpened it on a Spyderco V-Sharp which actually turned out not to be unecessary. I got frustrated by the small size of the Zeta and recently got a Lambda.
The grip and leverage on the Lambda is so much better, I have to start over again.
I must say, the minimum force I was able exert on the tiny blade of the Zeta, gripping the tiny handle, had to be uncommonly gentle on the edge.
I suspect you are better off in most situations, with a good martensitic stainless like S30V. Titanium is rustPROOF but steels like X15T.N. or Myoto Foundry H1 are said to be virtually unrustable and probably much more durable. but I seem to be fatally attracted to the exotic, novel and offbeat, so I had to try the most viable encarnation of titanium blade. I guess you pays your money and adds to your collection.
What are your thougts?

 

[nozh2002]

Thank you very much! It is first opinion from real user, so it seems like they really make good new blade material (in Japan as I understand). I was attracted "to the exotic, novel and offbeat" too but I manage to resist ... till now. (that pictures not made by me, the were sent to my website as part of review, but Michael who made them did not use knife too much at that point)

Thanks, Vassili.