Anodizing
Anodizing (also known as anodic oxidization) is a process for coating the surface of metals. This process is used in knife production. Anodizing means oxidizing a metal surface with an electrochemical process.
The resulting oxide layer is characterized by its hardness and transparency. One special feature of the oxide layer is that it remains firmly bonded with the carrier material. In contrast to the so-called galvanic coating methods, anodizing does not add an extra layer to the carrier material. Instead, the top layers of the material are turned into an oxide. This creates a strong, homogenous and closed oxide layer that serves as a perfect seal of the metal. In knife production, anodizing is used to achieve very tough and hard-wearing surfaces that are scratch- and shock-proof.
Anodized knives are also very corrosion-resistant and withstand abrasion. Overall, they hold up very well to the wear and tear of daily knife use. Anodizing is a suitable and popular sealing method for knives that are used in extreme weather situations (e.g. pocketknives) or need to withstand extraordinary stress (such as knives used by rescue workers). Other high-end knives – premium kitchen knives and such – are offered more and more often in anodized variations.
One major reason for the growing popularity of anodized knives is their classy look; anodized surfaces are very smooth and have a lovely dark color. Since anodizing is a rather labor-intensive process, it is usually reserved for high-quality products made from expensive materials such as aluminum or titanium. The thickness of the oxide layer can be adjusted depending on the intended use of the knife.