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What does forge mean?
There is a confusion in language terms between the
words "forge" and "forged knife", because they
do not refer to the same process in fact.
Today the term of "forged knife" applies to four different
manufacturing methods, four processes with very different results in
terms of mechanical properties, costs and thus the quality of the knife
in question.
What is a "genuine" forged
knife?
A "genuine" forged knife is a knife made out of a single
piece of steel and entirely forged (blade, bolster and tang). There is no risk of it
coming apart or of any foreign particles (food, etc) penetrating between the various
parts of the knife. The handle is and remains the only element that is added to the
rest.
What is a "false" forged
knife?
Knives that actually have only one of their various parts forged are
often improperly described as "forged knives".
Technical procedures today mean a forged bolster can be added to a knife. The bolster can be made separately and joined
to the rest of the knife (blade and tang) by welding (welded forged bolster)
or be an integral part of the knife (solid / forged bolster). In the second case the knife is made out a single piece but is not totally forged.
What about SABATIER Diamant
knives?
SABATIER Diamant knives are made according to the first meaning of the word
"forged" and consequently consist of a whole, single piece that is entirely
forged (blade, bolster and tang). Nothing can be called "added", except for
the handle of course.
SABATIER Diamant uses both the "genuine" forging processes available
(forged hammered bar
and the so-called traditional forged),
with the choice of technique
depending on the characteristics and technical requirements for the range being made.
Summary of the various types of forging:
| |
Forged welded bolster |
Solid / forged bolster |
Forged hammered bar |
So-called traditional
forging |
| Metal part |
in three
parts, welded together |
solid |
solid |
solid |
| Tang |
laminated
* |
laminated
* |
forged |
forged |
| Bolster |
forged |
forged |
forged |
forged |
| Blade |
laminated
* |
laminated
* |
forged |
forged |
| Production facilities |
intermediate |
intermediate |
heavy |
heavy |
| Cost |
low |
low |
intermediate |
high |
| Mechanical characteristics |
satisfactory |
bonnes |
very good |
very good |
| Blade hardness |
satisfactory |
satisfactory |
good to
very good |
good to
very good |
| Design possibilities |
few |
few |
great |
very great |
* cut out of a strip of steel |