A custom blade manufacturer offers standard & custom industrial machine knives & precision wear parts. They provide a variety of different steel alloys to match specific application requirements for hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance, and edge retention. Gough makes fixed blades and he does virtually everything himself. I think that would make him a custom maker even though he uses new technology.

Knife Blades

Many knives are made of high-quality steel that has specific properties that make them desirable for the task at hand. These qualities include edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance. Various alloys offer different characteristics and can be optimized by using appropriate heat-treating processes.

For example, S90V is an excellent knife steel that contains large amounts of carbon and vanadium, which increase its hardness and wear resistance. This steel is expensive and requires special care, but it holds a fine edge. The design of the blade, if done well, can contribute to its performance. Good designs are the result of evolution; knife makers study good examples and then try to emulate them with their own improvements.

Tool Blades

Multi-tool blades are used with oscillating tools to perform a variety of tasks including sanding, polishing, cutting, and sawing. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, making it easy to find the right blade for any job. Some of the most common blades include those for removing grout, plunge cutting, wood cutting, and scraping. If you’re looking for a blade that can cut through metal and drywall, consider a bi-metal blade. These are made from quality bit steel and have hard edges that can withstand tough materials. They also have a measuring strip on one or both sides, eliminating the need for guesswork when determining how deep to cut.

Carbide blades are designed to last up to 50X longer than standard bi-metal blades and can cut through metal pipes, screws, nails and more. They are great for woodworking and can even be used to trim carpet or drywall nails. They are also ideal for cutting brick, cement and concrete.

Machine Blades

Often used in paper, corrugated, and textile processing, machine blades cut materials such as cardboard, foils, woven wire mesh, stamp material, and thick cardstock. They are also ideal for scoring, slitting, and perforating materials. In most cases, a custom blade manufacturer will be made from standard steel with tungsten carbide tips brazed on to provide extra strength. This helps in cutting tough or abrasive materials that would damage the blade and wear out the edges quickly.

To ensure a high-quality cutting edge, the blade must be heat-treated. Without this step, phase transformations occur when cooling from high to low temperatures and the metal becomes weak. It also leads to a lack of durability and reduces the edge’s lifespan. This process involves a lot of time and attention, as the blacksmith has to watch out for what’s called grind burn, spots where the blade gets overheated creating micro-cracks disastrous for cutting precision. This can ruin the entire blade.

Custom Blades

The process of creating custom knives starts with cutting a piece of steel to make the blade blank. This can be done by hand or using a laser or water jet cutter. Larger custom shops use these tools to increase production volume and cut high alloy materials that cannot be easily stamped. Once the knife has been cut to shape it goes through a heat-treating process. This can be done by quenching (cooling quickly) or tempering (heating to a lower temperature to reduce its hardness).

After heat treatment, the blade is ground to give it a finished look. This can be done by machine or by hand and is a time-consuming process. The final step is polishing to remove any scratches or blemishes. The finish can range from a low grit of 280-320 to a mirror shine. Some makers even etch or carve designs on their blades to personalize them and add to their value.

Conclusion

Businesses need to be able to count on a reputable industrial knife supplier for a flawless blade that smoothly cuts their materials. They also need the supplier to be able to accommodate varying needs for a variety of industries.