Well, I'm trying to take a break to clear my mind before more studying, so I clicked on the TV. Saw a commercial for the unrated version of Touristas, and right there in my face was this scaple. I must be on BFC way too much because the first thought that came to mind was to laugh at the concept of Surgical stainless steel as some companies market it. Then I had a second thought: What, exactly, would a surgical stainless steel be? What do they use in scaple blades?
-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Surgical Stainless...not what you think
- Thread starter Buck268
- Start date
Surgical stainless steel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Surgical stainless steel is a variation of steel usually consisting of an alloy of chromium (1220%), molybdenum (0.23%), and sometimes nickel (812%).
The chromium gives the metal its scratch-resistance and corrosion resistance. The nickel provides a smooth and polished finish. The molybdenum gives greater hardness, and helps maintaining a cutting edge.
Although there are myriad variations in the recipes, there are two main varieties of stainless steel; martensitic and austenitic, see the stainless steel article.
The word 'surgical' refers to the fact that these types of steel are well-suited for making surgical instruments: they are easy to clean and sterilize, strong and corrosion-resistant. The nickel/chrome/molybdenum alloys are also used for orthopaedic orthopedic implants as aids in bone repair, as a structural part of artificial heart valves, and other implants. Immune system reaction to nickel is a potential complication.
316 surgical steel is used in the manufacture and handling of food and pharmaceutical products where it is often required in order to minimize metallic contamination.
In most cases today titanium is used instead in procedures that require a metal implant which will be permanent. Titanium is a reactive metal, the surface of which quickly oxidizes on exposure to air, creating a microstructured stable oxide surface. This provides a surface into which bone can grow and adhere in orthopeadic implants but which is incorrodible after implant. Thus steel may be used for temporary implants and the more expensive titanium for permanent ones.
Some piercists may claim to use implant grade steel still, but the term is erroneous.
Most surgical equipment is made out of martensitic steelit is much harder than austenitic steel, and easier to keep sharp. Depending on the type of equipment, the alloy recipe is varied slightly to get more sharpness, or strength. Implants and equipment that are put under pressure (bone fixation screws, prostheses, body piercing jewelry), are made out of austenitic steel, often 316L and 316LVM, because it is less brittle.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Surgical stainless steel is a variation of steel usually consisting of an alloy of chromium (1220%), molybdenum (0.23%), and sometimes nickel (812%).
The chromium gives the metal its scratch-resistance and corrosion resistance. The nickel provides a smooth and polished finish. The molybdenum gives greater hardness, and helps maintaining a cutting edge.
Although there are myriad variations in the recipes, there are two main varieties of stainless steel; martensitic and austenitic, see the stainless steel article.
The word 'surgical' refers to the fact that these types of steel are well-suited for making surgical instruments: they are easy to clean and sterilize, strong and corrosion-resistant. The nickel/chrome/molybdenum alloys are also used for orthopaedic orthopedic implants as aids in bone repair, as a structural part of artificial heart valves, and other implants. Immune system reaction to nickel is a potential complication.
316 surgical steel is used in the manufacture and handling of food and pharmaceutical products where it is often required in order to minimize metallic contamination.
In most cases today titanium is used instead in procedures that require a metal implant which will be permanent. Titanium is a reactive metal, the surface of which quickly oxidizes on exposure to air, creating a microstructured stable oxide surface. This provides a surface into which bone can grow and adhere in orthopeadic implants but which is incorrodible after implant. Thus steel may be used for temporary implants and the more expensive titanium for permanent ones.
Some piercists may claim to use implant grade steel still, but the term is erroneous.
Most surgical equipment is made out of martensitic steelit is much harder than austenitic steel, and easier to keep sharp. Depending on the type of equipment, the alloy recipe is varied slightly to get more sharpness, or strength. Implants and equipment that are put under pressure (bone fixation screws, prostheses, body piercing jewelry), are made out of austenitic steel, often 316L and 316LVM, because it is less brittle.
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Messages
- 4,837
think about it. Scaples are used once and then thrown away. Its cheaper to buy more than it is to sharpen and clean them. They arent made of a "quality" steel, thats for sure.
I have a Frost Cutelry hunting knife that my bro-in-law gave me one year. In spite of the mfrs reputation, the knife is actually very nice, and I'm able to get it very sharp. It's called a "Grizzly Skinner" and the blade says "Surgical Stainless Steel" "Japan".
I have yet to kill and skin my first grizzly with it but, in lieu of that, I've whittled some mesquite and fresh Arizona ash, started a couple or more fires with it and a fire steel, and hacked up a little 550 cord. Whew!! I like it, but the "surgical steel" and what it's made of is a mystery....
I have yet to kill and skin my first grizzly with it but, in lieu of that, I've whittled some mesquite and fresh Arizona ash, started a couple or more fires with it and a fire steel, and hacked up a little 550 cord. Whew!! I like it, but the "surgical steel" and what it's made of is a mystery....
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
Why are you assuming that what a cheap knife manufacturer calls "surgical stainless steel" is anything like what medical equipment manufacturers use?
It's a marketing term, meant to evoke the sharpness of a scalpel and the noncorrodibility of medical parts.
There are technical terms and designations for the different steels, like 1095 or O-1 or S30V. Manufacturers can use these terms to inform knowledgeable knife buyers of the actual composition of their knives. Using terms like "surgical stainless" or "Tru-sharp" or "Carbon V" only obscures the issue. They also allow the manufacturer to use whatever similar steel is available without mentioning the change in materials.
It's a marketing term, meant to evoke the sharpness of a scalpel and the noncorrodibility of medical parts.
There are technical terms and designations for the different steels, like 1095 or O-1 or S30V. Manufacturers can use these terms to inform knowledgeable knife buyers of the actual composition of their knives. Using terms like "surgical stainless" or "Tru-sharp" or "Carbon V" only obscures the issue. They also allow the manufacturer to use whatever similar steel is available without mentioning the change in materials.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2007
- Messages
- 56
The Sandvik 13C26 stainless used by Kershaw probably qualifies as "surgical" grade.
From the maker of such stuff:
From the maker of such stuff:
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Messages
- 4,837
i was making the point that it may be a marketing term, but not a very good one.
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2005
- Messages
- 2,940
As far as I know, no they aren't. Surgical scalpels are washed, and sterilised in an autoclave. Scalpels don't need sharpening very often as live flesh is not particularly difficult or hard to cut.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2006
- Messages
- 42,135
Sandvik 13C26 is relatively plain and does not fit the complex formulations mentioned by tka1's Wikipedia article. But I would guess that Sandvik has a pretty fair idea of who they sell to and what businesses their customers are in.
The Wikipedia article is talking about other surgical instruments aside from scalpels such as forcepts. A second look at the quote and I see no mention of scalpels. The article focusses on 316 stainless. 316 stainless would make a poor blade. It has less than .1% Carbon. Not enough to be of interest to us.
Buck268, I think blade_scrounger has answered your original question:
"What, exactly, would a surgical stainless steel be? What do they use in scaple blades?" It would be on the order of Sandvik 13C26.
The Wikipedia article is talking about other surgical instruments aside from scalpels such as forcepts. A second look at the quote and I see no mention of scalpels. The article focusses on 316 stainless. 316 stainless would make a poor blade. It has less than .1% Carbon. Not enough to be of interest to us.
Buck268, I think blade_scrounger has answered your original question:
"What, exactly, would a surgical stainless steel be? What do they use in scaple blades?" It would be on the order of Sandvik 13C26.
- Joined
- May 7, 2005
- Messages
- 20,928
The scalpel blades ARE used and thrown away. The handles get washed and sterilized. A surgeon uses the skin knife once, for making the initial incision. The changes to another blade for inside. In an Ortho paedic case, you go through many blades. The blades ARE very much disposable!! I should know, I was a Surgical Technologist for 11 years. (The ST is the one who sets up the sterile field and passes instruments to the surgeon.)
"As far as I know, no they aren't. Surgical scalpels are washed, and sterilised in an autoclave. Scalpels don't need sharpening very often as live flesh is not particularly difficult or hard to cut."
You are wrong.
"As far as I know, no they aren't. Surgical scalpels are washed, and sterilised in an autoclave. Scalpels don't need sharpening very often as live flesh is not particularly difficult or hard to cut."
You are wrong.
What he said.
Disposable scalpels do exist but are used primarily for minor in-office procedures. Never seen one used in an OR.
Scalpel blades, while razor-sharp (duh), are very brittle and will snap with the slightest lateral pressure.
My apologies, ma'am.
No, I think Esev answered your first (1) question: Surgical stainless is what ever the maker found to be cheapest. It is a marketing/hyping term and, yes, it might be as bad/unsuitable (for a knife) as 316 which isn't even hardenable.
Unfortuantely, the first and second question are completely unrelated. As answer to the second question 13C26 is probably a resonable guess. I would think, it is a similar steel as used in razor blades. Something that is cheap, fine grained, corrosion resistant and, very importantly, something that can be stamped.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
A mother-in-law?