Vulcanizing Knife Blades and Other Metals

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kzinti1

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May 9, 2013
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Forgetting the unique colors produced, what does vulcanizing a blade actually do to the metal?
Are there any benefits to vulcanizing metal?
I've Googled this question but have only found out How to Vulcanize metal.
So far, not a word as to Why Vulcanize Metal.
I ask this here instead of MKT because I know I'm not the only person who doesn't understand the why's and wherefore's of Vulcanized metal.
I'm only familiar with Vulcanized rubber products.
I've already receive a TFF 4 flipper wi/tumbled D2.
The Praetorian wi/Vulcanized D2 should arrive next week along with an Infraction INF 1 wi/black PVD.
The other Infraction is from the factory and has a rather hefty lead time.
One side carbon fiber, the other flamed titanium and a Vulcanized blade.
Why so many all at once? I'll keep my favorites and re-sell the others.
The only Medfords I've found for sale at less than retail are damaged in some way, so if I do end up selling any I'll only be out the shipping costs.
As close to a win/win situation as I can get.
My thanks to Amy and Greg. Your knife designs and manufacturing processes are fascinating!
 
I think there is some misunderstanding here.

Vulcanization is a chemical reaction catalyzed by heat and pressure on rubber and some plastic compounds. It is used to make tougher and harder rubber. There is also a rubber on metal vulcanization process that bonds the rubber to metal. This makes a very strong bond that is hard to peel off.

The knife you listed has a black oxide coated blade from what I can tell. Cerakote and some blade finishes are baked on. Perhaps that is what you are referring to. This isn't really vulcanization.

If you are referring to the colors on the titanium handle frame, that is caused by either using a flame, or baking in an oven. This is not called vulcanization. It is sometimes called heat anodizing, which is also not a correct term. The proper term is "Heat Coloring".

A link or photos would be helpful.
 
Vulcanization Of a knife is when the blade gives up any emotional feelings and becomes a purely logical blade.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I think there is some misunderstanding here.

Vulcanization is a chemical reaction catalyzed by heat and pressure on rubber and some plastic compounds. It is used to make tougher and harder rubber. There is also a rubber on metal vulcanization process that bonds the rubber to metal. This makes a very strong bond that is hard to peel off.

The knife you listed has a black oxide coated blade from what I can tell. Cerakote and some blade finishes are baked on. Perhaps that is what you are referring to. This isn't really vulcanization.

If you are referring to the colors on the titanium handle frame, that is caused by either using a flame, or baking in an oven. This is not called vulcanization. It is sometimes called heat anodizing, which is also not a correct term. The proper term is "Heat Coloring".

A link or photos would be helpful.
Click to expand...


Here's one: http://www.medfordknife.com/Product_Page.php?pid=80
Yes, I know about anodizing, flame treating titanium, vacuum particle deposition, etc.
But vulcanization of metal is beyond me.
That's why I asked. Treating metal with a rubber process? That's just weird.
Medford Knife & Tool is the only knife making site I'm aware of that offers this process as an option.
I guess that it's just a surface treatment for appearance rather any actual mechanical properties.
Otherwise, it would be more familiar to other knife makers.
 
it states the finish as "Vulcan" not vulcanized.
Checking the blade finishes in their catalog it says this:
"Vulcan (heat treated finish, requires oil)"
Sounds like an as tempered finish

-Colin
 
GrenfellsBrutalForge said:
it states the finish as "Vulcan" not vulcanized.
Checking the blade finishes in their catalog it says this:
"Vulcan (heat treated finish, requires oil)"
Sounds like an as tempered finish

-Colin
Click to expand...

I never spotted that in the MKT catalog.
I took for granted that Vulcan was a metal treatment, not the appearance of the Vulcan home worlds atmosphere as seen from space.
So basically, Vulcan is a hot oil treatment for steel?
I'd better get hold of the Medford's and find out how to maintain their Vulcan finish.
 
Not exactly. Vulcan finish is simply leaving the heat treated surface finish on the blade without sanding it any further. "Requires oil" means that the surface will rust despite the base metal being a stainless steel...thus you will be required to oil it to keep it clean.
 
The specs you linked list the blade as Black PVD finish. This is about one micron of really hard stuff applied at 400F. It is applied as an particle vapor deposited on hot metal. The metal usually is first chrome or nickel plated. IIRC, before everything had letter names, like "PVD", they used to call it Black Chrome.

Their term "Vulcan" is probably just a trade name for their finish.
 
On the page linked pvd is listed as one option for blade finish, Vulcan is another. There are a few more options too. The listings lead me to believe that Vulcan is different from pvd.
As a side question, has anyone seen smiths here leaving blades with an as-tempered finish? I chemically stripped the coating on some production blades and the steel beneath had what appeared to be temper colours still left on them. They seemed like they resisted rust far better than bare steel. Then again it is possible there was something residual left over from the original coating.

-Colin
 
Thanks, I missed the drop down options.

That"Vulcan" finish looks like it was sprayed with light oil and baked. This leaves a multi-color surface oxide. Most folks have seen it when they tempered a blade that they just wiped off after the oil quench. You could finish the blade completely and then spray/coat with oil ( or some other substance) and bake at 400F. The temper would be fine, and the surface finish wouldn't change. The colors will only be a very thin layer on the balde, and probably won't hold up well in rough use.

My biggest question is what makes this a $1200 knife? I have sold folders with damascus blades, exhibition grade MOP, gold trim, and diamonds in the handle for that price.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Thanks, I missed the drop down options.

That"Vulcan" finish looks like it was sprayed with light oil and baked. This leaves a multi-color surface oxide. Most folks have seen it when they tempered a blade that they just wiped off after the oil quench. You could finish the blade completely and then spray/coat with oil ( or some other substance) and bake at 400F. The temper would be fine, and the surface finish wouldn't change. The colors will only be a very thin layer on the balde, and probably won't hold up well in rough use.

My biggest question is what makes this a $1200 knife? I have sold folders with damascus blades, exhibition grade MOP, gold trim, and diamonds in the handle for that price.
Click to expand...

The only way I could qualify that as a $1200 knife are the people that payed it. Other than that, I personally would need a lot more knife to pay $1200. I'm all for paying for quality but not into giving money away. Apparently someone see's that much value in it, just not me. Good looking knife though, not quite my style.
 
If memory serves me right by letting a bit of air into the SS foil pouch it leaves this finish on D2 steel. It is an oxide layer only and can be tough to get off for a proper finish... It does have some cool colors though;)
Might have oil sprayed on it pre HT to help, never tried that one
But have had D2 blades come back from HT looking the same, it is basically a HT finish IMO
 
JTknives said:
Vulcanization Of a knife is when the blade gives up any emotional feelings and becomes a purely logical blade.
Click to expand...

A Vulcanized blade also is a copper based alloy, not iron.
Btw, Dont confuse that with a blade made by one of the Paul Allen companies.
 
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