Bronze Cutlery?

[DocNightfall]

Many sources I've looked at say that bronze outperforms iron for cutlery, but that steel performs better than bronze.

It seems to me an unreasonable and sweeping generalization that ALL steel alloys are better for cutlery than ALL bronze alloys. There are many different steel alloys with differing properties, and the same is probably true for bronze.

Particle metallurgy should allow newer better bronze alloys to be manufactured.

From what I've read, bronze can offer some advantages over steel. Bronze is denser than steel (which could improve chopping without increasing bulk), and slicker (which could help with cutting). Even the simplest bronze alloys don't oxidize beyond the surface layer, resulting in a nice greenish or bluish patina. Which looks kinda cool.

Does anyone know of any research into developing better bronze alloys for cutlery?

 

[mete]

I've given that thought myself. Bronze [the original tin bronze ] and iron perform the same .Both BTW for best results had their edges hammered to work harden them. There are hardenable bronzes like beryllium copper but beryllium is toxic. I think the typical tin bronze or silicon bronze would be the best choices, phosphor bronze would be another choice. I can't think of any cutting application where copper alloys are used . But they were certainly used in the bronze age and it would be nice to have a bronze knife to be a little different !! Maybe you could get one of the custom makers to do it.

 

[DocNightfall]

Can anyone point me to any information on hardening and tempering bronze? (proper temperatures, best way to quench, etc.)

 

[mete]

Some bronzes can be heat treated ,most cannot. Those that are involve precipitaion hardening not a martensitic transformation like typical steel.All you want to know about copper alloys can be found at www.copper.org

 

[DocNightfall]

Thanks! Also found some cool stuff elsewhere.

http://www.key-to-nonferrous.com/default.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&NM=71

It's interesting that there are bronzes that can harden all the way up to 86 or even up to 98 HRC. That should mean that those alloys can be hardened to within the 50-65 HRC range so they can be useful for cutlery.

 

[mete]

That's the other website I couldn't remember .I also forgot there are a few martensitic types . The hardness listed is a misprint -98HRC should be 98 HRB !!

 

[Rich_S]

Wasn't the trasition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age a pretty big step forward for the human race? Why regress?

 

[the possum]

Another modern way to do the work hardening is shot peening. Basically put the piece in a tumbler with ball bearings of whatever size, and let 'er spin. This way you can really work harden the piece without really changing the general shape of it like you would with hammering.

 

[fedaykincmndr]

I've thought about this as well. I really like the way bronze looks and it would be really cool to see something done well in it. Rich, I don't think it's about regressing, per se, but being in touch with our history.

However, the only reason the iron age was a progression in human history is because iron was more readily availible and easier to work. It really didn't have much to do with performance as it did cost and efficiency.