Why it Works

  • The Nitride rods are super hard and will sharpen all metals.
  • The Nitride rods are set at a perfect 21 degrees. No guess work.
  • The Nitride rods have flex. Will not peel metal on your knives. If you need too, place a coin between the rods (see instructions with Honer) this will remove minor nicks, burrs and flat spots.
  • It takes 5 years to wear down the Nitride rods in one spot. After that you simply turn the rods one eighth of a turn and you have a new sharpening surface.
  • They're guaranteed for life.
  • The Nitride rods sharpen both sides of the knife at the same time.
  • The Nitride rods take you from dull to shaving sharp in less than a minute. Dead center strokes. There are no special angles to hold or remember.
The Hunter Honer's Nitrided Rods are expensive to harden and make, 70 on the Rockwell C scale and Guaranteed for Life, both Flexable Rods are turnable after 5 years of use at the points of contact. The Rods will quickly sharpen all knives and metals without destroying them, using our patented flex designed and sharpening techniques. Hunter Honer will sharpen hard steel knives like D-2, AUS, ATS-34 and Buck 110 knives in seconds. Most knives are not as hard as these knives which range from 59 to 64 on the Rockwell C scale. However, many great stainless steel knives range between 54 to 58 on the Rockwell scale and the Hunter Honer sharpens them to the best smooth cutting edge. But, High Carbon steel knives still get the sharpest knife edges, however, these knives may rust if not properly taken care of.

Note:
Stay away from cheaper knives, with cheap steel, all you'll get is, cheap edges. And, they won't hold their edge long either, many of these knives are in the Rockwell C scale of the 40's if that. Many cheap knives are not even hardened, just look pretty.

Nitriding of steel

Introduction of nitrogen in the steel is performed at temperatures 500 to 550C (930 to 1020F) range. Nitriding is altering the composition of the surface like carburization does. The difference between nitriding and carburization is that in nitridization nitrogen enters the ferrite phase, and that the nitridization process does not involve heating into the austenite phase field, thus eliminating the need to quench a part. As a result it provides excellent dimensional control.

Process

In nitriding, nitrogen is introduced into the surface of a steel component by heating it in a fused salt bath containing nitrogen-bearing salts (typically, sodium cyanide, NaCN) or in a gas stream containing cracked ammonia (NH3). Steels suitable for nitriding contain aluminium, vanadium, tungsten or molybdenum; these form stable nitride precipitates that harden the surface to a depth of about 500 micrometres. The temperature 495 to 565 C is lower than that for carburizing, giving less distortion, and the surface does not require later heat treatment (as carburizing does (to acquire its hardness)). Nitriding gives a high surface hardness, retained to high temperatures, increased wear resistance, improved fatigue life, and enhanced corrosion resistance.

Technical notes

Nitriding is most effective when applied to steels containing nitride-forming elements such as chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, aluminium. Examples are members of the AISI 4100, 4300, 5100, 6100, 8600, 8700, 9300 and 9800 series. The process can also be stainless steels, some tool steels and certain cast irons. Ideally, steels for nitriding should be in the hardened and tempered condition, requiring that the tempering temperature be higher than nitriding temperature. A fine-turned or ground surface finish is best.

Remember: It's the NITRIDE RODS that you're paying for, not the handle. That's only one of the reasons why it works so well out in the field or the kitchen.