Zeicin Metals - Information Wanted

[Cypress Creek Knives]

Does anybody know anything about Zeicin metals? It appears that they are a Chinese steel manufacturer that produces steels such as zdf-42 (BG-42), zdf-16 (VG10), zdf-35 (S35VN), as well as many others.

Is this a reputable manufacturer or is it a "mystery metal" operation. Any information is appreciated!

 

[DevinT]

Does anybody know anything about Zeicin metals? It appears that they are a Chinese steel manufacturer that produces steels such as zdf-42 (BG-42), zdf-16 (VG10), zdf-35 (S35VN), as well as many others.

Is this a reputable manufacturer or is it a "mystery metal" operation. Any information is appreciated!

Hopefully they will be hit by a large tariff and not sell in the US.

Stealing technology and intellectual property from other countries is not good.

Hoss

 

[Cypress Creek Knives]

Hopefully they will be hit by a large tariff and not sell in the US.

Stealing technology and intellectual property from other countries is not good.

Hoss

How is it that some manufacturers can make the same steel type, but sell it under different names? For example, cruwear and z-wear.

I guess I don't understand how that works and would be interested in learning more about it.

 

[DevinT]

How is it that some manufacturers can make the same steel type, but sell it under different names? For example, cruwear and z-wear.

I guess I don't understand how that works and would be interested in learning more about it.

I don’t think ZAPP produces their own steel. I think they contract with Crucible, Carpenter or EraSteel for the z-wear.

VascoWear was the original alloy, I believe Crucible was the first to make it with the cpm process.

US based steel manufacturers are struggling, we should patronize them so that they’re still around when we need them.

Ask any successful knife company about Chinese knock offs, you will get an ear full.

Hoss

 

[Cypress Creek Knives]

I don’t think ZAPP produces their own steel. I think they contract with Crucible, Carpenter or EraSteel for the z-wear.

VascoWear was the original alloy, I believe Crucible was the first to make it with the cpm process.

US based steel manufacturers are struggling, we should patronize them so that they’re still around when we need them.

Ask any successful knife company about Chinese knock offs, you will get an ear full.

Hoss

Ahh, so one company manufactures the steel and is sold to suppliers who brand it how they want and sell it to the public.

I agree, USA made is a top priority when buying steel and supplies!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

While I wholeheartedly agree that buying USA made products if you are in the USA is a good thing ....
It is unrealistic to expect a wide variety of knife steels that are USA made. Only a few companies make knife steel here. One major one just went under. Other US companies may buy it from Europe or elsewhere and repackage/re-brand it.

I feel a better approach for American knifemakers is to buy steel and supplies from American businesses. Pop's, USA Knifemakers, Jantz, TKS, etc.
Knifemakers in other parts of the world would be wise to do the same as much as they can with supplies from their own country.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Hopefully they will be hit by a large tariff and not sell in the US.

Stealing technology and intellectual property from other countries is not good.

Hoss

What's this industry going to look like in 30 years

 

[Alex Topfer]

How is it that some manufacturers can make the same steel type, but sell it under different names? For example, cruwear and z-wear.

The same way bread manufactures can make the same thing and sell it under different names. There are only so many ways to mix up the ingredients

 

[DevinT]

What's this industry going to look like in 30 years

I don’t know, however, 50 years ago the best grinding belt was the blue norzon zirconia by Norton.

We had micarta but no G10, no carbon fiber but an occasional piece of delrin.

Stag scales were $10 and under. Elephant ivory was legal and I didn’t see any mammoth ivory for many years.

The main steel choices were 440C, D2, O6, and the most exotic steel was 154cm.

Most makers used a Burr-king or a square wheel grinder and a few used a Bader.

The finest finishing belt was 400 grit.

The first pattern welded damascus was just reintroduced.

There were about 200 knife makers if you counted everyone who ever made a knife.

There was only one knife making supply house.

CPM steels were not available for knives.

Scrimshaw was popular.

Very few makers were forging or making folders.

Someone should write a book about it, oh wait, Larrin already has.

We’ve come a long way. Hopefully it will continue. Since FiF, we have an influx of new knife makers.

It’s a crazy disease with no known cure.

Much respect.

Hoss

 

[navman]

What's this industry going to look like in 30 years

Laser knives...or lightsabers.