ONECRYO-What's next for blade manufacturers and consumers?

[Mark Beyer]

Over the next twenty years; knife, axe, chainsaw, specialty blade, and firearm manufacturers will see significant introductions of technologies from widely diverse industries. I personally feel this will affect the blade forum discussions as seen here to date. Some for the better, some for the worse as beleifs in benefits versus traditions are discussed. It may get heated as fact versus fiction and beleif collide.
From my viewpoint within these changes I can place some facts in perspective: Within the last ten years there has been a growing acceptance in tool steel cryogenic processing which improves metal durability by 92 to 817%. Micro coating lubricants and protective finishes are just now being accepted outside their original semiconductor field and will eventually follow cryogenic processing into new markets with reduced but significant results. Soon, semiconductor style polishing methods will introduce themselves commercially improving visible and wear surface smoothness by 100 to 1000 times.
My question to everyone in this discussion forum is; how do you as consumers and manufacturers view these advancements? Is there room in the mark-up or wholesale profit to cover the price increases? What is of interest to you, do you see as limits, unusual applications or problems, or peeves you and scares you about their introduction?
Inquiring of our current customers has proved one sided due to their conviction in the introduction and application of these processes. Since these changes are inevitable for all except the blade traditionalists out there I am seeking responses from performance minded and manufacturers on this subject. Even respectful or reasonable flaming will be appreciated as long as it's subject oriented and improves my understanding of feelings affecting future acceptance of these technologies.
Sincerely,
Mark Beyer

 

[Dexter Ewing]

Moving to Shop Talk...

 

[Mike Hull]

Funny, I have always found the makers on this forum to be very open minded. I have rarely seen a "heated" discussion.

 

[etp777]

Being as I am only in the process of making my second knife, and they so far are all for my personal use, I don't think I fit in the manufacturer category, but have definitely been a consumer, with large amounts of money(in proportion to my income), being spent on some of the strangest things. Personally, I am willing to give jsut about anything new a chance. That being said, for anything where I feel that I might have a significant interest in my personal well being or safety(ie, knife that I pack in my truck in case I break down in middle of no where, guns I keep around for if some punks decide they want to free me of some things I still want to own, etc), in these things I like to stick with items that I know are tried and true. My Truck knife is always jsut a standard heat treated and tempered high carbon steel blade. No stainless, no cryo, nothing fancy. Just a strong, boring knife, but of kind that have served men for hunddreds of years. Again, same type of thing on my guns. I'll buy any fancy new thing I can manage to afford, but for defense my standard old pump shotguns, or my 1911A1 are what I go to.

That being said, just for tools, or fun toys, or anything like that, I'm always willing to try something new. Being a Jr. Network admin, technology doesn't scare me away, and I'm always willing and even excited to try out new advances, whether in computers, knives, cars, or any of my other interests.

Just my .02

 

[Mark Beyer]

Thanks Mike Hull. I would hope I don't get flamed but I am on other discussion groups where it gets pretty hot.

As for improvements, at some time they will become the tried and true, old boring stuff like what we are currently comfortable with. I wonder what changes preference from the tried and true to the new. I see statistics every day of performance and improvement. I see letters every day about success stories. Still, there are those who remain un-convinced. I wonder why and find my pondering unable to answer my questions.

Is it the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" thought.
Or the "I've always done it this way."

Somwhere, somehow, people step to the plate for the next shot in the arm of technology. What makes them change from pay phones to cellular. Typewriters to computers? I see what will be in knives and wonder how people will change. As part of that instrument of change I look to make it easier, funner, and with less stress. I want to help make something that everyone will reach for and know this is the tried and true stuff they can depend on.

I feel there will always be the traditionalists. The customs that reflect arts from bygone days. I also see the ones pushing state of the art and wonder how I can help. that is why I'm here.

Mark

 

[Don Powell]

Welcome to Bladeforums, Mark. As yet, I don't think you
understand the people and Philosophy on this site. I dare say,
that all of us are constantly striving for improvement and
excellence. Some improvement comes by way of the changes
others make to the metal and materials we use, and some of the
improvements are a direct result of the work of the very people on this site. The sharing of knowledge by these wonderful people is the
true gift of Bladeforums. Stick around you will like it!

 

[ddavelarsen]

What Don says is true, you'll find the members here mostly open minded and looking for every possible way to improve their product and their work. One thing is sure, this is a "show me" bunch; we love to hear about new stuff, and will take it up and test it to the limit. When found beneficial any new technology or method will be embrased like Grandma.

One factor though, is knife value. Knife purveyors are buying from a position of tradition more often than from one of invention. What I mean is that over the long term, tradition is what drives appreciation of a knife's value; "newfangled" materials like giraffe bone, mokume, specilized coatings, etc may take a generation or so to become collectible, and so could actually lessen the value of an otherwise desireable knife. This is a consideration for those here who appeal to the collector market rather than the user.

If you take blade coatings as an example, I believe you will find resistance unless a coating can be shown to stand up to heavy wear. If not, a using knife will gain a patina that is not as genteel as that presented on a plain steel blade (ie it will soon be ugly); and an established or predictable collector market does not yet exist even for such standard coatings as gun blue.

Meanwhile, I'm sure open to any new method that will make my knives perform better, last longer, and look sexier. So lay it on me!

Dave

 

[Bruce Bump]

Mark, I know technology is advancing faster than people can imagine. We here on this forum are traditionalists and history buffs but we would add some of the new advances if we could afford it to make our user knives perform better. One thing that we face is the cash to do it ourselves in our own shops. I enjoy the old ways though and cant see myself delving into the future metals and trying to keep pace with the latest breakthroughs. I for one love to talk to the older gentlemen who used their hands for a living all their life. I find them enlightening and informative. There is a real need for better tools, guns and knives and they will sell well but will not be collectable. There is a certain romance in holding and firing a gun that was hand made by a craftsman using old technology with his bare callosed hands compared to the coated metal finish on a semi/fully auto built by a robot for todays Army. I would rather watch "The Patriot" or "Gladiator" than "Black Hawk Down".

Dont get me wrong, I enjoy the peace that comes with the weapontry of the modern age and dont wish to discount all the lives given for our peace.

Gee I sound like a tradionalist.