Zirconium blade with carbidized edge?

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I know that some makers build knives out of titanium and carbidize the edge, any reason why the same thing could not be done with Zirconium?

 

[Alpha Knife Supply]

Zirconium is way too soft to use as a blade, clip or lock.

Heating zirconium to creates a very hard oxide. However, under the oxide is soft zirconium which is too soft to support a cutting edge. Adding carbide will not help the soft zirconium under the carbide.

I have a fixed blade knife made from a zirconium/titanium alloy. It can be sharpened very sharp but quickly dulls.

Chuck

 

[mete]

Ask Mecha he has experience with Ti alloys and maybe Zr. He's made me a gladius with a Ti-Nb alloy which has the martensite transformation. I've only had mine a couple of days so I can't give any comment on the performance . It will though be much better than most Ti alloys !

 

[S.Alexander]

There is some interesting info in this post regarding zirconium alloys. It seems that some alloys may be suitable for a knife.

http://what-when-how.com/materialsparts-and-finishes/zirconium-and-alloys/

 

[Chuck Gedraitis Knives]

I'm not talking about a hard use knife, but something like a small neck knife. I have some pieces left over from cutting out some scales that would work.

 

[Mecha]

I've never messed with zirconium, but maybe it will work-harden if you do a bit of cold forging with a hammer, and then be able to support a carbide edge.

 

[mete]

http://www.rauschert.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=56&idart=143&lang=2

Just make the whole thing out of Zr oxide like they do for scissors and knives !!

 

[Varga Knives]

What about a Timascus blade, Chuck (AKS Chuck)?

 

[mete]

BTW if you're going to buy a blade don't buy cheap Chinese stuff !! Get it from Kyocera and get the black blades as they are tougher .