D2 Stirred?

O

Omega Leather Works

Joined
Jun 13, 2007
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I got to reading the zombie s30v thread (great read) and it rekindled a much (!) hyped steel in my mind.

As a short background, I was very much into knives a few years back and had subscriptions to the knife publications. I lost interest when I lost my collection in a move.

Anyway back then there was MUCH hyper about a company that was using a new method for "stirring" d2 near the edge of a blade. Supposedly it made for a wonder steel that had incredible properties.

Anyone remember this? What ever happened with it? Why did it not take off?

I haven't heard a word about it since I've been back...

Thanks
 
Kinda sounds like snake oil to me... Can't really say, though, since I've never tried one out.
 
Strigamort said:
Yes! :)

Anyone know why it isnt uses for every knife made? I know, Im exagerating, but it was supposed to be amazing...
Click to expand...

(Purely speculating, but after searching & reading a very tiny bit on 'Friction Stir Processing'...)

It seems like the process would be extremely expensive, using very specialized/expensive machines, doing the work one blade at a time. And if they're relying only on machining pressure & friction to heat the metal just so (raising the temperature enough to make the steel 'plastic', but not quite high enough to actually melt it), I'd bet the quality control has to be extremely tight. I'd think it'd be difficult or impossible for a high-volume manufacturer of 'consumer-grade' knives to do it economically. If everybody shopping for a knife were willing to pay custom prices, then it might work. But I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for that.

It seems like this process was developed and geared towards much more specialized ends, like aircraft parts manufacturing, tool-making and other industrial ends. The 'Friction Stir Processing' of metals seems to have been an offshoot of 'Friction Stir Welding', used to join separate pieces in the same manner, using only friction and pressure, instead of melting the metals.


David
 
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