RED KNIFE exclusive kitchen knife handmade by Zakharov knives, order to buy in Ukraine (Steel N690™ 61 HRC)

SPECIFICATIONS:

The name of the knife: RED KNIFE exclusive kitchen knife handmade by Zakharov knives, order to buy in Ukraine (Steel N690™ 61 HRC)
Knife type: Fixed blade
Brand: Workshop of handmade kitchen knives ZAKHAROV KNIVES🇺🇦

Steel brand: Blade - N690 steel - alloyed stainless steel from the Swedish-Austrian concern Bohler-Uddeholm. TO by Zakharov Knives in-house heat treated and cryo
Knife design: Steel sheet (Full tang) integrally cast, bolt-on installation on screed and resin
Blade sharpening angle: Sharpened by 30 degrees
Descents: Direct
Reduction: 0.3 mm
Blade hardness: 61 HRC
Total length: 375 mm
Blade length: 240 mm
Blade width: 50 mm
Blade thickness: 2.5 mm, to the point with a wedge for narrowing to 1.8 mm
Length of the handle: 125 mm
Handle thickness: 21 mm
Total weight: 217 grams
Grinding of the blade: Finish - transverse machine satin.
Logo: Master's logo on the right side of the blade
Handle material: Micarta, stainless steel bolster and spacers
Handle color: Red
Handle impregnation: None
Handle finish: Polishing
Hole for a shoelace (for a lanyard): None
Temlyak: Absent
Scabbards: Black designer box-case

Musat (sharpener, sharpener for knives): Ceramic for sharpening a knife
Weight: 125 grams
Total length: 370 mm
Length of the handle: 120 mm
Width of the handle: 19.5 mm
Handle assembly: Push-in
Handle material: Micarta, stainless steel bolster and spacers
Handle color: Red

Model: RED KNIFE exclusive kitchen knife handmade by Zakharov knives, order to buy in Ukraine (Steel N690™ 61 HRC)
Model Number: 002
Country of birth: Ukraine
Masters of the studio: Yuriy Zakharov and Mykhailo Zakharov (Zakharov Knives), Lviv, Ukraine Workshop of handmade kitchen knives ZAKHAROV KNIVES🇺🇦
Best use: Multi-functional: Kitchen, Carcass Splitting, Slicing, etc
Knife Condition: New
Price: Listed with a designer box-case

A sharpened knife is not a cold weapon.

Our knives are very sharp, so open and use very carefully. We are not responsible for injuries related to the use of our knives.
Our products are intended for legal use only by responsible buyers. We will not sell our products to anyone under the age of 18.

Availability changes regularly, upon confirmation of your order, we will inform you about the availability or when the product will be ready. The product may differ slightly from the one shown in the photo.

Steel N690 (Н690) Bohler (Böhler) pros and cons: characteristics, properties
The main production facilities of the glorious and long-standing tradition of metallurgical production of the Swedish-Austrian concern Böhler – Uddeholm are located in Germany and Austria, but there are several enterprises on the American continent. 

N690 steel is used for the production of various high-strength industrial tools, such as drills and cutters. One of the areas of use is the manufacture of knives.

Chemical composition and features of steel
N690 belongs to stainless doped martensitic alloys and has a different composition from other grades:

• the percentage of carbon in it is quite high and is 1.08%, which gives the metal increased strength and hardness;
• chromium (17.30%) increases wear resistance and improves hardening ability, gives the metal anti-corrosion properties;
• molybdenum increases the hardness of steel, practically eliminates brittleness and brittleness;
• vanadium adds flexibility and increases the ability to protect against aggressive environments;
• manganese in the smelting process additionally increases the hardness of steel;
• silicon increases the wear resistance and the reliability of preserving the properties acquired by the metal.

Unlike other alloys, N690 contains 1.5% cobalt, which increases the heat resistance of the steel and directly affects its mechanical properties.

As for the name "martensitic", it is named after the creator Mark Martens, who first described the process of forming an unusual metal structure. In such types of alloys, it is acicular in the form of the thinnest plates, located in two variants: parallel to each other or chaotically. It is characteristic of metals that have undergone the hardening procedure.

In the course of its implementation, a component called martensite is formed. Without delving into special terms, it can be called a solid supersaturated solution of carbon in -iron (low-temperature modification of iron).

Advantages and disadvantages of the metal
One of the most important characteristics of the N690 steel is a high level of resistance to the appearance and spread of corrosion. Under normal conditions, a product made of this alloy is not subject to destructive processes. At the same time, the hardness of the metal increases significantly due to the quenching process.

N690 is used in the production of knives and is considered one of the best materials for their manufacture. The advantages and obvious advantages of N690 steel include:

• high strength and resistance to physical exertion;
• resistance to bending and breaking;
• resistance to breaks and twisting of metal;
• excellent cutting properties;
• preservation of sharpening sharpness for a long time.

As for the disadvantages of Bohler N690 steel, most experts come to the conclusion that this alloy has practically no disadvantages, has an ideal composition and high technical characteristics and properties.

They allow you to use this alloy for the manufacture of various cutting tools, including tactical knives, as well as hunting knives and cutting knives with fixed blades and handles made of natural wood, which can be purchased in the online store https://knife.net.ua/ .

Many connoisseurs of alloys used in the production of knives compare the properties of N690 and American steel 440C. Although they are not analogs, they have some common technical characteristics, which allows it to be used for a cutting tool. The best qualities are especially evident in handmade knives for the kitchen and everyday life, a large assortment of which is presented on the website of the online store https://knife.net.ua/.

WHAT ARE MICARTA AND G10 AND HOW THESE COMPOSITE MATERIALS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER

For decades, Micarta and G10 composite materials have been undisputed leaders in the knife industry, in particular for the production of handles of various complexity. The materials are distinguished by their availability, ease of production and processing, as well as high strength, wear resistance and unpretentiousness in maintenance. Both materials are composite, based on polymer resin, which is supplemented with layers of different types of captive fabric.

Micarta-G10-Composite-materials-photo-2

Micarta material is an electrical insulating material consisting of a polymer film (based on cresolaldehyde, phenolaldehyde, xylenolaldehyde resin, or resin from a mixture of phenolic raw materials). It is glued with the help of various electrically insulating papers, fabric (mainly linen of natural or artificial origin), or other materials of a similar structure, there are also options made of fiberglass and carbon fiber. The color of the material depends on the resin and fabric base used for gluing. Micarta is a relatively soft material and requires careful manual processing. Therefore, it is used in the production of handles for more expensive knives.

Micart is registered as a trademark of the American company Industrial Laminates / Norplex, Inc. (Norplex-Micarta). Its domestic analogue can be considered a material called "Getinax", which is mainly used as a basis for printed circuit boards. The material also has a sheet pressed structure, which consists of a paper base with the addition of phenolaldehyde or epoxy resin impregnation.

Linen-based micarta has a more attractive optical effect when sanding the fibers. After grinding, the surface can be polished or sandblasted. In the first option, the surface of the material will be smooth, silky, warm and pleasant to the touch. And in the second, the material becomes rough and has a matte shade, besides, it is securely held in the hand and does not slip.

Main characteristics of Micarta:

increased water resistance;
excellent resistance to temperature changes;
strength to mechanical processing;
dense structure that does not absorb odors;
the micro-relief of the material does not slip in the hand even when the surface is wet;
tight fit to the blade, which leaves no gaps at all and prevents food residues and harmful microorganisms from accumulating.
G10 material is a light, hard and fairly stiff composite material with a textured surface, which is mainly used in the manufacture of handles of both folding pocket knives and knives with a fixed blade. This material is created by placing several layers of fiberglass, thoroughly impregnated with epoxy resin, in a special vacuum press, where, under the influence of compression and heat, the resin finally hardens, preserving the structure of the fiberglass.

The G10 material is characterized by good impact resistance, wear resistance, moisture resistance, as well as ease of processing and maintenance. The material can be painted in different colors, including in layers. The surface of G10 can also be polished to a glossy state, or have a rough anti-slip structure, under the influence of a grinding machine or sandblasting.

Key features of the G10:

high stability of basic properties during temperature fluctuations;
withstands high shock loads, compressive and tensile loads;
high overall hydrophobicity and resistance to chemicals;
weighs relatively little, in relation to the overall strength and density;
low electrical conductivity;
can take different forms.
Composite materials G10 and Micarta have almost the same composition and external similarity. At the same time, the G10 material has higher fire resistance, although it is not a non-flammable material, it has higher compressive, bending, impact and tear strength, and it is also simpler and more economical to manufacture. At the same time, G10 is inferior in terms of "stickiness" in wet conditions, and also, tactilely, it feels less "natural".

CARBON silver twill - KNIFE HANDLES FROM THIS PREMIUM MATERIAL

One of the most prestigious and expensive materials for knife handles, in addition to titanium and expensive types of wood, is a type of carbon fiber, the so-called "carbon". The material is valued for its exceptional lightness, strength and aesthetic beauty.

Carbon (from the English carbon - carbon) is a polymer material with a composite composition, made of interwoven carbon fiber threads. These threads are made using epoxy resins. The average density of the material is from 1450 kg/m³ to 2000 kg/m³. The main difference between carbon and other polymers used in the manufacture of knives is its very low weight. It is the weight, together with exceptional strength, that gives carbon an advantage over other handle materials: G10 polymer, micarta, FRN plastic, etc. At the same time, according to specific strength characteristics, carbon exceeds structural steels. The main qualities of carbon are high tensile strength, resistance to high temperatures, aggressive environments, slight expansion when heated, high electrical conductivity. Another important feature of carbon is its natural black color obtained during production, which gives it a noble and elite look.

The basis of the material consists of carbon fiber threads with an average thickness of 0.005-0.010 mm in diameter. Carbon fibers are produced as a result of a complex process of heat treatment. The main fiber (polyacrylic, viscose) is first subjected to air oxidation at a temperature of 250 °C for 24 hours. As a result of oxidation, ladder structures are formed (polymers whose macromolecules are stitched in pairs by regular chemical bonds). Then there is carbonization (the process of enriching the threads with carbon), which takes place when the fiber is heated in nitrogen or argon at temperatures from 800 to 1500 °C. Carbonization results in the formation of graphite-like structures (alotropic modifications of carbon). The process of heat treatment ends with graphitization (the formation of graphite in materials in which carbon is contained in a dissolved state or in the form of carbides), it takes place at a temperature of 1600-3000 ° C in an inert environment. Due to the war of graphitization, the amount of carbon in the fiber is brought up to 99%. In addition to ordinary organic fibers, special fibers from phenolic resins, lignin, coal and petroleum pitches can be used to obtain carbon threads.

Carbon fabrics, in turn, are obtained by weaving threads or ribbons. In the production of these threads, carbon roving is used as a basis - a bundle of thin continuous threads of carbon fiber with a thickness of 3 microns, formed by carbon atoms. After interweaving, they form a carbon fiber frame. The amount of carbon fiber in a thread is estimated by the number "K" - the number of thousands of elementary carbon fibers. The thinnest and most expensive carbon fiber is 1K, the most common carbon fiber is 3K, there are also carbon fiber threads with K = 6, 12, 24, 48. The fabric made of threads can have a variety of weaving patterns (herringbone, mat, weaving, etc. ). To give the fabric even greater strength, carbon threads are laid in layers, each time changing the angle of the weaving direction. The layers are fastened with the help of epoxy resins. This structure of carbon makes it possible to reinforce the fiber with additional elements that strengthen its structure and provide different colors and surface textures. These materials can be different threads, sequins, polymer materials of different colors.

The main methods of manufacturing carbon plates are:

• Pressing , in which the fabric is laid out in a form previously lubricated with a so-called anti-adhesive, designed to reduce the adhesion of surfaces to each other. They can be soap, wax, etc. The fabric is then impregnated with resin, and its excess is removed in a vacuum (vacuum forming) or under pressure. After polymerization of the resin, the product takes on a finished look.
• Vacuum  infusion allows you to create a laminate package by stacking fabric layers on top of each other and applying a vacuum discharge under the layers. Then a binder is fed through the valve and under the action of vacuum it fills the voids and permeates the carbon fabric.
• Vacuum forming is the gluing of layers at high temperatures and then the effect of vacuum to form the volume of the product. This method is one of the cheapest.
• The method of winding , which consists in winding the impregnated roving on a previously prepared form. After winding the required number of layers, the form with the wound fabric is placed in a heating oven and polymerized.
• The SMC/BMC method  consists of placing the fabric in a mold heated to operating temperature. The press mold is closed, as a result, under pressure, the material spreads into the cavity of the mold and hardens. At the end of the cycle, the product is removed from the mold, and its final machining and painting is carried out.

Carbon fiber is used in various fields. In particular, in aviation and rocket engineering, in the production of car and motorcycle body parts, household appliances and high-tech research devices. And for about 20 years now, carbon has been widely used in the production of knife handles of the medium and premium segment. At the same time, on fine knives, carbon can be both in the form of overlays on steel liners, and in the form of a single material of the handle, fixed with screws through bonks.

Carbon, which goes into the production of knives, in addition to its main characteristics of strength, should also have a rather attractive appearance. It is this factor that increases its cost, complicating the production technology and requiring the highest quality raw materials. The most expensive and high-quality resins and more expensive equipment, including chemical reactors (autoclaves), are used for gluing the layers. In addition, carbon is sandblasted to increase hand grip, which also increases production costs. It is also necessary to remember that working with carbon requires mandatory protection of respiratory organs and special rooms with good ventilation, and this also leads to an increase in the price.

The color palette and texture of the carbon used on the knives can be varied. Among the types of carbon, the following are used:

Mosaic carbon,  which can be both plain and multi-colored. Such carbon is used for radius spacers on knives with complex multi-section handles. Several dyeing techniques can be used in this carbon.

Marble carbon  is a chaotic interweaving of carbon threads, each of which reflects light differently, which allows it to shine from different viewing angles.

Carbon Lightning Strike  ("lightning strike") with a copper thread in the form of a mesh woven into the carbon fiber throughout its volume. Externally, it is similar to that used in the fuselages of American planes to protect against lightning strikes. This is a thin carbon, 3.2 mm thick twill weave. It has a deep and bright pattern.

Like any expensive and at the same time difficult to manufacture material, carbon has a number of disadvantages. In the production of carbon plastics, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the technological parameters, in case of violation of which the strength properties of the products are sharply reduced. Ultrasonic defectoscopy, X-ray and optical holography, as well as acoustic control can be used to control the quality of products. Without them, the manufacturer works "by touch" and may not notice hidden defects. Another serious disadvantage of carbon plastics is their low resistance to shock loads. It is also necessary to remember that carbon eventually fades and can significantly lose its main advantage - an attractive appearance. However, despite these shortcomings, carbon is rightfully a premium material for the best knives.