What is the Appeal of Zirconium?

Locutus D'Borg

Locutus D'Borg

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I've not owned or fondled a knife with Zirc bolsters, scales, or other. But it looks kinda...IDK...a bit dull to me. Does it not show marks as easily as titanium? Is it lighter? I know makers are always looking for new materials to use (i.e., superconductor was in vogue for a few years), but I am just curious about this metal. Thanx in advance for your responses.
 
Zirconium is a great name, and a few knives with zirconium elements will sell to the curious.

"AAY-uppp. Carrying Old Zirc today."

"WTF are you talking about, now?"

"Old Zirc. My tactical folder with zirconium bolsters and accents. WTF did you think I was talking about?!?"

"...Yeah, I really should have known...Cool knife, though. What does the zirconium do?"

I'll bet it sells a few knives! I'm looking forward to some less stupid, more knowledgeable answers!

www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/five-interesting-facts-to-know-about-zirconium​


It looks like it is easy to work and really resistant to all kinds of corrosion. It seems like it would take a brilliant shine, but most of what I see looks more gray, like titanium.
 
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Here is from bokerusa:

"Zirconium is a metal used to make high-quality knife handles.

It derives its name from the mineral known as zircon, the main raw material source for this metal. Zircon is mainly found in Australia and South Africa, where two thirds of all zircon is produced. Other major deposits occur in Brazil, India, Russia and the US. Even in the ancient world, Zircon was a popular gem used in jewelry. The metal zirconium, on the other hand, was only discovered in the late 18th century by the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth as he examined a zircon sample from Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka). Klaproth gave the newly discovered metal its first name, zirconia (Zirkonerde). Ultimately, the current name was adopted internationally.

Zirconium was first used as flash powder once it had been discovered that burning zirconium emits an extremely bright light. Compared to conventional magnesium, zirconium offered the advantage of burning completely smokeless. Zirconium has a silvery shiny look that resembles steel. Its specific properties make it a preferred material in many industries and applications, including knife production.

Zirconium develops a stable oxide layer which inhibits corrosion and makes the material highly corrosion-resistant. It is also characterized by its high ductility. This term describes materials that react to stress and strain with plastic deformation without yielding. Zirconium is relatively supple and very easy to process.

Today, zirconium is mainly used to make cladding tubes for uranium fuel elements in the nuclear industry, special device parts in chemical assemblies – pumps, valves, tubes and heat exchangers – as well as medical instruments. Its high level of corrosion-resistance and ductility and the fact that it is very easy to process make this metal a sought-after material for premium handle scales."

For the knife maker, easier to process/CNC than Ti (like in aftermarket Ti scales for Hinderer, Demko and others), for the user novelty, I'm guessing. Never attracted me.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
I've not owned or fondled a knife with Zirc bolsters, scales, or other. But it looks kinda...IDK...a bit dull to me.
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Zirconium weighs a little more than titanium and less than steel. It is used in a wide range of products such as explosives and medical implants.

Some machinists and knifemakers do not use zirconium because of its propensity to catch on fire. Zirconium dust and small chips can spontaneously combust.

Zirconium is reactive. It can be heat colored or anodized like titanium. The colors are more iridescent than titanium. It can be finished to a high polish. Zirconium can be colored dark gray to black. When colored black, the surface is very scratch resistant.

Chuck
 
I've always liked this look that you can get on Zirconium. These are not mine unfortunately, but they're Metonboss "Oil Slick" Zirconium scales.
ASeGOsX.jpeg
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
I've not owned or fondled a knife with Zirc bolsters, scales, or other. But it looks kinda...IDK...a bit dull to me. Does it not show marks as easily as titanium? Is it lighter? I know makers are always looking for new materials to use (i.e., superconductor was in vogue for a few years), but I am just curious about this metal. Thanx in advance for your responses.
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Because It's not titanium or aluminum. Something different. Get you some, it's nice stuff.
 
ferider said:
Today, zirconium is mainly used to make cladding tubes for uranium fuel elements in the nuclear industry, special device parts in chemical assemblies – pumps, valves, tubes and heat exchangers – as well as medical instruments. Its high level of corrosion-resistance and ductility and the fact that it is very easy to process make this metal a sought-after material for premium handle scales."
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Sounds like the similar properties of lead. Actually, I thought uranium shielding was made of lead.

So I guess for a knife with a uranium blade or liners, it’s the logical choice.

Parker
 
catspa said:
Sounds like the similar properties of lead. Actually, I thought uranium shielding was made of lead.

So I guess for a knife with a uranium blade or liners, it’s the logical choice.

Parker
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The cladding is to keep the reactor coolant from direct contact with fuel. They still want the radiation to flow.

The lead shielding is to keep the radiation away from stuff not inside the reactor like people.
 
There's nothing new about value being dictated by the commonality and availability of resources and materials. Ultra superior purpose based properties or not. It's been that way since us dumb monkeys took this paradise over. lol

Otherwise we'd all be walking around with ivory colored G10 in place of bone or ivory. Anodized TI instead of copper with patina. Anodized/plated metals replacing gold.

What am I missing here?
 
Because of its corrosion and wear resistance, it substitutes for dental Gold crowns especially since the price of Gold went up.
 
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