Cryogenic

Has anyone here experimented with the cryogenic process on knife blades? There are amazing claims about this process adding to the edge and toughness ability.
The process involves slowly freezing (below -320 deg. F) and slowly thawing back to room temp. The simplified theory is that the molecules normally are unevenly spaced, when you freeze the metal you pack the molecules tightly, and upon slowly thawing out the molecules space out evenly.
Has anyone tried this process and where can I send a blade to have this done. What is the cost? I would like to try it out myself.
Thanks!
 
S

shawn

Joined
Dec 5, 1999
Messages
215
i know gigand does this on there knives, i'm not sure about anything or anyone to send it too, hope this helps
 
cryo is done to make things work better on the molecular level.....steel starts as austenite (sp?) and after heat treat turns into marstenite (sp?)....and cryo helps with the complete transformation to marstenite.. in other words....by lowering the temp to as close to absolute zero as we are able...the chemical reaction that is caused by heat treating is aided to the max..producing a more homogeneous matrix..hope that helps. someone that is a scientist might be able to explain this better...
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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
IMHO, the beneficial effects of cryo are still somewhat unclear. Some people says it works wonders, some people say it is snake oil.

However, since Paul Bos will heat treat and cryo blades for an incredibly low price, a lot of knifesmiths get them cryo'd whatever the 'smith's opinion of the benefits of cryo is. Again, IMHO.

There have been discussions on this topic in the past here. You may wish to do a search.

Walt
 
This thread has now been reposted on the Bladesmith Forum. Perhaps further replies should go there. Walt
 
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