It started with copper !

Do you mean a blade made of copper, I think there's a way to do it with other metals using a technique called mokume-gane and it would be similar to a damascus look
Gold_Mokume.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokume-gane
 
A copper blade would be visually cool, but can it be made to hold a edge is the question.
 
I want to make a knife from copper-tungsten electrode. It's not a real alloy, but copper embedded with microscopic tungsten particles, almost like carbides. Forge the blade to work-harden it, and let the tungsten do the cutting!
 
Strider has made folders with blades of beryllium copper....
 
Cu-Be , grinding is the dangerous part as the dust will kill your lungs ! :thumbsdown:

Mecha, that idea covers a number of things like CPM 3V, wootz, etc get a sample and try it !

v8r , one of my biggest surprises in metallurgy history was finding that in ancient Egypt they cut stone with copper tools and sand ! I guess they had far more patience than we do. Copper , bronze , and iron tools were work hardened on the edges to sharpen and harden. Today scythes can be bought that are hardened that way, with fairly low carbon steel .:D
 
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I've made scrapers from cold-forged bronze and brass round stock...slowly but surly.
 
Mecha said:
I want to make a knife from copper-tungsten electrode. It's not a real alloy, but copper embedded with microscopic tungsten particles, almost like carbides. Forge the blade to work-harden it, and let the tungsten do the cutting!
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Are the W particles W-carbides? if they are just W they shouldn't be carbides, just as hard as W metal can get
 
Dawkind said:
Strider has made folders with blades of beryllium copper....
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Ping made a set of irons out of beryllium copper very traditional copper look and if I remember correctly the metal wasn't soft but then again gold bals aren't very hard either

"Beryllium copper (BeCu), also known as copper beryllium (CuBe), beryllium bronze and spring copper, is a copper alloy with 0.5—3% beryllium and sometimes other elements. Beryllium copper combines high strength with non-magnetic and non-sparking qualities. It has excellent metalworking, forming and machining properties. It has many specialized applications in tools for hazardous environments, musical instruments, precision measurement devices, bullets, and aerospace. Beryllium alloys present a toxic inhalation hazard during manufacture."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copper

upload_2017-9-8_10-12-18.jpeg
 
Why would someone who had the skills and equipment to make a knife do so with a copper blade?

The obvious "because I can" come to mind, and appears to be just plain dumb?

It's an interesting material for handle furniture(guards, spine on folders, inlays....) because it's a warm color and reactive, so it develops patina, but from a blade performance aspect, it's got nothing to offer, imo.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
Why would someone who had the skills and equipment to make a knife do so with a copper blade? ... from a blade performance aspect, it's got nothing to offer, imo.
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Nothing except:

GotSteel said:
"Beryllium copper (BeCu), also known as copper beryllium (CuBe), beryllium bronze and spring copper, is a copper alloy with 0.5—3% beryllium and sometimes other elements. Beryllium copper combines high strength with non-magnetic and non-sparking qualities.
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Dawkind said:
Strider BeCu knives were made for EOD Techs...
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And who the hell knows, maybe when you ...
Mecha said:
... make a knife from copper-tungsten electrode. It's not a real alloy, but copper embedded with microscopic tungsten particles, almost like carbides. Forge the blade to work-harden it, and let the tungsten do the cutting!
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... you discover that it cuts like the dickens! Or not. There's only one way to find out though. Which leads us back to:
Kohai999 said:
Why would someone who had the skills and equipment to make a knife do so with a copper blade?
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'Cause it's a great idea.
 
SpySmasher said:
And who the hell knows, maybe when you ...
... you discover that it cuts like the dickens! Or not. There's only one way to find out though. Which leads us back to:
'Cause it's a great idea.
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If you read the original post, you could infer the OP was talking about basic copper.

The toxicity of the Beryllium Copper is extreme, to the point that grinding it requires a re-breather and a HazMat suit....only practical in a large industrial facility with compartmentalized spaces(sure you knew that).

You CAN make a functional knife from mild steel, you could make a knife from petrified dinosaur scat if you want.....but that can often be defined as a waste of time.

If YOU want to waste your time making a knife out of shit or non-hardenable metal....have fun. Doesn't make it a smart thing to do....or a good use of time.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Mecha said:
I want to make a knife from copper-tungsten electrode. It's not a real alloy, but copper embedded with microscopic tungsten particles, almost like carbides. Forge the blade to work-harden it, and let the tungsten do the cutting!
Click to expand...

That sounds dope! Will you do some cutting tests and let us know?

Yo mete! Word up dawg, you spoil us with these posts!
 
I believe that Mete's title says it all. It started with copper so if someone wanted to make a historically accurate reproduction of a certain relic, then copper would be necessary. That alone would be reason enough. Personally, it has never crossed my mind to do anything like this but now I think it could be an interesting project because of the historic value.

Anybody have any pics of cool looking copper relics?
 
Back in the good old days- Would a copper knife be superior to a stone one? Or was it just the lead in to useful metallurgy?

BeCu- We used to find tools made of BeCu diving around the Navy Docks. We found screw drivers, pliers, hammers etc. I believe it's used because it's non-sparking and non-ferrous. Sadly we didn't really know what it was and a friend would grind and polish the tools. They looked like they were made of gold when he was done. Yes he had undiagnosed health issues.
 
Kohai999 said:
If YOU want to waste your time making a knife out of shit or non-hardenable metal....have fun. Doesn't make it a smart thing to do....or a good use of time.
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Experimenting with new materials is a great way to spend your time. As is reproducing history. Both sound like an absolute blast.
 
braillediver said:
BeCu- We used to find tools made of BeCu diving around the Navy Docks. We found screw drivers, pliers, hammers etc. I believe it's used because it's non-sparking and non-ferrous. Sadly we didn't really know what it was and a friend would grind and polish the tools. They looked like they were made of gold when he was done. Yes he had undiagnosed health issues.
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Too bad about your friend... Those would be quite something to have today, like you know.
 
stezann said:
Are the W particles W-carbides? if they are just W they shouldn't be carbides, just as hard as W metal can get
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Good point. Tungsten is not exactly soft, though.
 
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At this time AFAIK there is no cure or treatment for beryllium poisoning .Yes they will make good knives but the risk is not worth it.
 
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