PDA

View Full Version : A bug in china..?



voxnaes
04-08-2001, 12:00 AM
The other day I rediscovered my "old" ceramic hunter, and it hit me; theres no ceramic spydie..-is there..?

Now I know that the productioncost of the zirkoniumoxidblades would be higher than that of steel, and that the wastage rate is 30-50%, but keeping that in mind, the resoult would be unique and ohhh so cool.

Why ceramic blades?. I love steel (I grinde and forge blades myself) but the ceramic blade facinates me. The strenght and durability of this material, that most others think of as fragile and brittle, appeals to me. Also it´s beautiful blades. But most important, they keep a sharp edge long afther most steels have stopped cutting.

The size of the ceramic spydie should probably be like that of the Navigator since small blades are cheaper to produce, and all n´all, ceramics are fancyknives, not the kind you take to work as your nr.1 utility knife. It´s more the kind you use when cutting the tip of your wifes Havana (must taste better than it smells!!)

The scales could be titanium or almite (white blade with bright blue scales..) but also G10 or micarta vould look great.

The linerlock concept would be the best solution for a ceramic folder, since the stress on the blade, in my opinion, is less than on a frontlock.

Voxnaes

Just remembered the Spyderco compression lock. This concept would probably be even bette than the linerlock, but I have never used or even seen a folder with this system so...

sal
04-08-2001, 10:15 AM
Hi Voxnaes. Thanx for the input.

Actually Spyderco did a fair amount of testing of ceramic blades in the mid 80's. We tested for marine use, especially scuba and hunting knife use.

We actually did produce a small gents folder with a ceramic blade and a magnesium handle. It was under the TAK label and was made for us by Tak Fukuta in Seki City. A nice piece, but difficult to find one now.

Our forte or niche if you will is high performance. We just couldn't get the performance we needed from ceramic. Perhaps in the future?

sal

voxnaes
04-09-2001, 02:51 PM
Hi Sal
Sorry to hear that there will be no ceramic spydie, but you can´t blame a guy for trying.
You mention that Spyderco tested for a ceramic blade in the 80´s, but did you allso test zirkoniumoxid? I don´t think anyone used it at that time. I have a full-tang hunter in this material and it lives up to my needs for high performance.
Okay i´ll start up the funny old brain again and try to come up with a "better" idear to BUG evrybody...

Voxnaes

sal
04-12-2001, 10:51 AM
Hi Voxnaes. Yes, they were all zirconia based ceramics. Regading the performance issue. I think perhaps my requirements for performance might have more requirements for more purposes.

sal