Ed Huntress wrote:

"Cydrome Leader" wrote in message
...
Bill Smith wrote:

"nick hull" wrote in message
...
In article . com,
"Pete C." wrote:

IIRC it is non-metallic
and missed by metal detectors and I believe it is considered 'plastic'
by TSA


Actually, I just saw these made on the "How it's Made" TV show. For
security
concerns, they mix a small amount of metal powder in the knife so it Does
set off the metal detectors.

this sounds dubious.

It does, especially since the usual reason for adding metal powder to
ceramics is to (1) allow lower-temperature sintering, and thus to lower
cost; or (2) to increase toughness. That's what cermet cutting inserts are
all about.

It wouldn't surprise me if they were using cermet technology in knives for
the same reason. It *would* surprise me if they were doing it for metal
detection.

I've only played with the first generation of Kyocera kitchen knives from
over 10 years ago. I'm pretty sure they were 100% alumina.

They are very sharp and just beg to be broken or chipped. The novelty
factor aside, it's not really clear to me what they offer over a good
carbon steel knife, which nobody seems to sell anymore.