Does cryogenic processing benefit knife blades and instruments/objects requiring retention of sharp edges?
Yes. Heat treatment is the most important stage in the evolution of an alloy into performance steel. The first step in the heat treatment process is to reach a critical temperature. This temperature is held for a specific amount of time (depending on the steel being hardened) and causes the steel to become austenetized. Heat treatment is one of the many factors that dertermines the grain size of the steel. A fine grain structure is more desirable for knife blades and other instruments/objects requiring retention of sharp edges. Cryogenics is the process that goes beyond the heat treat to best refine the grain structure. Cryo treated blades, instruments and objects become more durable and resistant to wear without becoming brittle.
