In the January issue of Sharpeners Report, Judy Brenner interviewed Randy Kinney and me on the new harmonic treatment we are using to strengthen metal for sharpening. We are very excited about the attention that this process is receiving. If you have any questions about our harmonic treatment or want to try the service for your own instruments, give me a call at 800-972-9223 or email me at dkind93@gmail.com. You can also visit my webpage dedicated to explaining the harmonic treatment in more detail: https://dk-industries.com/2017/02/05/harmonic-treatment-gets-micro-sharp-edge/.

Here is the article from Sharpeners Report:

THE MICROEDGE INNOVATION

Add-on treatment for shears, clipper blades, machine tools

by Judy Brenner

Did you know that there are microscopic fissures, gaps and cracks hidden in the surfaces of metallic tools and instruments? These cause the metal to underperform and wear at a faster rate. DRK Technologies has developed a process whereby “The MicroEdge” removes such defects, enhancing a tool’s performance and extending its lifespan by 300-500 percent, according to co-owners Randy Kinney, DRK Technologies, Knoxville, TN and Dean Koeneman, DK Industries, in Kentucky.

This treatment penetrates all the way through the steel. The experiments have been going on for more than a year, and now are ready to market to other sharpeners and end users. Price points are still being established, but considering the process is said to triple the life of a blade edge, it has been suggested $65 for shears; $10 for dental instruments; and $12 for clipper blades. Machine tools vary, based on volume.

“This metal treatment not only increases the lifespan of a device, but also, improves its maneuverability and cut. Cracks within an instrument allow it to flex and move. But once these gaps are closed, the tool will perform with finer precision,” Randy said.

Typically, the outer layer of an instrument suffers the greatest amount of stress after heat-treatment. Each time an untreated tool is sharpened, its outer layer is removed, requiring the tool to be recoated after each regrinding. But The Micro Edge eliminates the need for coatings altogether, allowing for twice the number of regrinds. “Once an instrument undergoes The Micro Edge treatment, achieving the desired level of sharpness will require removing less material from the cutting edge,” Randy says. His other company, Knoxville Blade Sharpening & Bio Med Repairs, has tested the process on behalf of customers. “We’ve been giving tools to clients since May 2016, and the feedback has been very positive,” he said. Sharpeners Report sought out some opinions to see what end users thought. Here’s what was reported.

Shears Tested by end users

Kim Hodges, Shear Techniques, has a 3-chair salon in Halls, TN. “We had our scissors treated with the metal edge treatment by DKR Technologies. Our Japanese steel 5 inch beauty shears are used for both blunt and point cutting. We could tell it was an amazing difference. It glides through the hair better,” Kim said. She went on to say: “We don’t drop our scissors. You don’t see the difference, but you can feel it. When you open and close them, when you are cutting hair, sometimes we try to keep oil on blades, sometimes when it is time to get them sharpened, it was nipping at the hair. Now we’ve treated them six months ago, we normally have them sharpen every 3 to 4 months. These are still sharp and working quite well. We were called to see if we need them sharpened and we don’t. They are still working beautifully.”

Todd Bauer in Louisville, KY is a former platform artist with Aveda, and said he was impressed. “I was quite surprised! These seem more precise. I was blown away,” Todd said, after getting one pair of his shears treated. Todd uses the 6” Hakuri shear daily, doing 10 haircuts a day. He owns 15 of the same brand shears, and he said he mostly can’t tell these from a new pair, which is still in the wrapper. “I haven’t needed the new pair at all!”

Dental Instruments Tested by end users

Tara Perry, a hygienist who works with Dr. Mark Luck in Knoxville, owns a traditional tool assortment of scalers and more. She said normally they sharpen the instruments themselves on different stones. “It takes a lot of time out of your day, so I don’t mind having a professional service handle them,” Tara said. She explained there are high end stainless steel instruments and 2^nd tier cheap ones. “The techniques and coating used by Kinney Surgical made my 2^nd tier instruments last as long as the higher quality ones!” She said working with a sharper tool “saves my wrist!” (Carpal tunnel is prevalent among hygienists, she said.)

The micro edge process is also applicable to clipper blades and machine tools, specifically any cutting tool such as end mills, drilling broaching, punch & dies, and some others that have abrasive wear. More information will be available during the Sharp Fest where DRK Technologies will have the Micro Edge exhibit.