I came across these Benchmark ceramic utility knife blades while looking for something else on Amazon. At nearly $18 for a pack of 3, that’s about $6 per blade.
In general, zirconia (zirconium oxide, ZrO2) is a superb cutting material. It is harder than steel, which makes it much slower to dull, as well as rust and corrosion resistant. But zirconia is also so hard and rigid that it is brittle and prone to chipping and breakage.
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Whether a zirconia knife edge is sharper than steel depends on the time, effort, and attention during the grinding and sharpening process.
Assuming for a moment that, under ideal conditions, a ~$6 zirconia blade lasts as long as $6 worth of standard steel utility knife blades, which could be as little as 5 and as many 35 depending on brand, quality, and packaging, would you switch?
Personally, I wouldn’t. In the way I use utility knives, premium steel blades, which typically cost at most about $1 each, would serve me better. I own two ceramic kitchen knives, and tend to baby them a lot. When a cutting task isn’t ideal for the zirconia knives, which is often, I use a steel knife.
But then again it takes me a long time to go through a 5-pack, let alone a 50-pack of blades.
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Clayton
I think I’d try one to see how easy it is to actually shatter, but probably only if they were available as singles ($18 is a little outside of my ‘unsure how I’ll like it’ impulse buy territory). The couple of ceramic kitchen knives that we own have not exactly held up well, or exhibited enough ‘sharpness superiority’ to justify their use or purchase.
mike
Dont think id spend the dough on these,would rather take my chances with the carbide ones.
Phil
I can see a benefit (in my case, at least) in that these blades are nonconductive. Ideal for use around low voltage wiring and components (automotive, electronics, home theater/audio, etc) when energized. Less chance of shorts and damage.
Joe
I didn’t even think about them being non-conductive. Thats actually pretty nice. I could see that being pretty handy.
LORDDiESEL
I don’t think i could justify it. I buy the cheap 100 pack of blades for 20 bucks.
Michael Veach
as you said, the way I use one no
John Fleisher
I’d love to find ceramic blades for a #11 x-acto knife. I seem to recall them being offered at one time…
Jim Stuart
I would buy it see if they would work for me. We can talk about it and surmise all day. But I’m guessing you would know in a few moments if it was worth the extra money for however you use it. But what I’d like even more is a utility blade that is ground from one side only. That would be my first choice every time for a marking knife. And I think they would sell well to people who make their own block planes.
John
For non-conductive or non-sparking requirements, these are indispensable–the extra cost is a small price to pay for the added safety. Otherwise, stick to steel which will work better most of the time at a fraction the price.
Victor
I have some of these ceramic blades. I bought them from Amazon. I cary them in my folding pocket utility knife (it has a blade storage compartment). Most of the time I use normal steel blades because they are cheap and you can beat on them but when the situation calls for precise cutting with an ultra sharp blade I put in one of these ceramics. They are extremely sharp and cut a very clean line because the edge is so fine. You can not use them carelessly and you can’t twist or bend them (because the edge will chip) but if you use them correctly for the right application they can’t be beat for sharpness and precision. If used properly they stay sharp for a very very long time (mostly forever). If used carelessly they will not hold up. I lent one to a friend to use working in a warehouse opening boxes all day. He destroyed the blade within one day because it hit box straps, staples, nails, wood, and each time it would chip a little more. These blades can cut small fiber optic cable and they don’t spark.
I like them. I would buy more but I’ve had 3 blades for over a year and they still haven’t worn out (minus the one my friend destroyed).
Justin
I bought that exact set in 2014. I was extremely disappointed in the sharpness — standard, budget utility blades are sharper than the trio I received.
Basil Badger
I have tried ceramic blades for general use in the workshop and found them lacking for general use.
The one place where the concept shines is in the Stanley Penknife (STHT0-10293). For box opening it is unsurpassed; safe, effective and lasting. If I worked with shop stocking , this would be my choice.