The blade is the most important part of the knife. It is what makes the knife useful and what gives it its form. Knife blades can be made from a variety of materials and with different methods, depending on the type of knife and the needs of the user.
The primary considerations in choosing a blade material are its strength, rigidity, edge retention and corrosion resistance. A quality knife blade, such as Brusletto, should have adequate hardness to hold an edge well but not so hard as to be brittle.
Knife blades are made from a variety of different materials including steel, ceramic and titanium. Steel is the most common material used in making knives because it is inexpensive, but it can rust if not properly cared for. Ceramic blades are made from zirconium oxide or aluminum oxide particles mixed with other metals and bonded together under great heat and pressure. This process gives them their hardness and durability, but they also have a high price tag. Titanium blades are also very strong and durable, but they tend to be more expensive than steel or ceramic blades.
The most common materials used for knife blades are:
Steel – Steel is one of the most popular choices for knife blades because it offers excellent performance at a moderate cost. Carbon steel can be hardened more than stainless steel and therefore holds an edge longer without needing frequent sharpening, but it rusts easily if not cared for properly. Stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance but loses its edge faster than carbon steel when subjected to heavy use or neglect.
Stainless steel – It is often used for small hunting knives because it can be sharpened easily even when dulled with use. It does not need polishing regularly like carbon steel does; however, if left wet for too long after washing, it will pit and rust quickly.
