Boye Dendritic Cobalt v. Talonite?

S

storyville

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Aug 11, 1999
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Rob Simonich noted on the “Rockwell question” thread that BDC is “almost chemically the same as Talonite, but is cast instead of hot rolled and age hardened.” As I understand it, Talonite’s chemical composition is the same as Stellite, except that the age hardening improves abrasion resistance and perhaps toughness? (Plz correct any mistakes here!)

Now, does BDC also “begin” as stellite, or a version of it? And if so, does casting improve its properties or characteristics similarly to age hardening for Talonite? What are the differences for the “end user” between BDC and Talonite?

(Also, has anyone else made knives w/BDC other than David Boye?)

As I’m not a maker -- just a user and someone who probably reads too much -- these are really just “curious George” type questions. But I’d appreciate any feedback --

Thanks and regards,
Glen
 
they're both good metals, and you'll like both of them, but hot rolling and age hardening is better than casting.
 
I havent tried the BDC yet, and if I do I probably wont tell anyone! ha ha From what I understand, the BDC takes a more toothy edge and is a more aggresive cutter than Talonite in slick materials like nylon rope. I ahve also heard it is a much more fragile material as far as edge rolling and chipping. I read somewhere that David Boye dosent reccomend cutting hard materials like a pine knot with the dendritic cobalt, whereas Talonite has no problem with that sort of cutting. It seems both have some advantages and disadvantages as with anything. The BDC is basically cast Stellite 6b. The casting has a different carbide structure than the rolled material, the carbides are more stringy as I understand it in the cast material, where the rolled material has a more evenly disperssed carbide sructure. Hope this makes some sense, and hope we hear from som who have the Dendritic blades. I guess I am going to have to get a bar of ther dendritic to try!

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www.simonichknives.com
 
agree with rob...having made many stellite 6k blades thruout the years...from my little foray into talonite...it appears to be a superior knife alloy....all of the stellites have the carbides in them that the cast stuff does...casting saves material...and at 150 per lb and up....that is important when you are making a production line....i really dont believe that the casting helps the alloy...but that is my opinion.

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Thanks for feedback, all. And Rob, if you do give the BDC a try, please do tell!

BTW, I only recently started visiting the forum, and have already learned LOTS. Esp nice to see you here, Rob -- this is Glen Mimura -- I’m in-line for a 4.5” Talonite Wambli, tho’ you’re not scheduled to get to it till Feb-Mar Y2K at the earliest... but good things come to those who wait for custom knives, yes? Looking fwd to it, and to learning more from ALL of you here on the forum --

Glen
 
Welcome to the forums Glen, this is a great place to learn about knives, there is such a wealth of knowlege here you wouldnt believe it! I learn something new here everyday.

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www.simonichknives.com
 
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