Buck worked with Molecular Metalulrgy Incorporated for over 3 years on this blade enhancing process. We initially were looking for surface lubricity for action and corroision resistance. We had such bad history with Titanium coatings we were very cautious. The edgeholding aspect fell out of these experiments. We learned that if we sharpened a knife, then coated the blade, then resharpened only one side we got lab results of 200 times edge life.
The C.A.T.R.A. machine, pictured in our catalog, tests how deep a blade cuts up through a stack of abrasive paper. It then graphs the distance into a curve that can be used to compare both initial sharpness (how deep was the initial cut) as well as edge holding (how deep was the 50th or 200th cut).
We tested ATS34, ATS55, BG42,440C,425M and 420HC. Plus a few others. The engineers who were reponsible for this testing have both left the company so Jeff is collecting the research. It would qualify for it's own thread.
I have given as guide tips our Model 691 zippers with Zrn coating (champagne). This is Zirconium instead of Titanium. It is a little harder then Titanium. The elk guide told me he usually gets 2/3rds through an animal before he touches up his knife. He completed my elk, gutted, skinned and quartered and it was still sharp. I have given this same style knife to a hog ranch we have hunted on. He has gotten 5 hogs plus without a resharpening. He said usually one sharpening per hog. He is Doug Roth from Camp 5 up near Paso Robles Ca.
We tested serrations with and without coating. Serrated blades underperform initially but last forever. A Buckcoted serration was simply immune to abuse.
We are working with MMI on new coatings which would handle the corrosion resistance but have not found the magic combination yet, elements, layers...etc. Technology marches on...
