Steel is one of the most durable of materials, but differences in production process
create some distinction. It might seem that metal is and especially steel is strong
enough to withstand working with much softer cuticles and nails, however durability
of the steel used is important not only because your tools get dull with use, and
the more durable the material the longer it'll last you even if it is re-sharpened
a few times but also because more durable materials allow to create a much sharper,
more precise blades and edges to begin with.
Instruments made of stainless steel are almost rust-proof and considered to be pretty
durable, which is sounds good, but innovation never stands still, that is why there
are other materials from which our tools are often made. To improve the performance
of their products manufacturers take even more durable types of steel, in our case
the highest grade carbon steel which is many times more durable and structurally
strong than stainless steel, and improve upon it by making it rust-proof by covering
or plating it with Nickel or Gold making plated instruments just as rust-proof as
stainless steel, but that much tougher. As compared to tools made of stainless steel,
instruments made of nickel plated high carbon steel attain a much higher sharpness
and precision, and last so much longer.
This is worth mentioning again, the high carbon steel is of much higher durability
than most other types of steel, however the high carbon steel used by the manufacturers
from
Solingen, Germany that Zamberg is working with are using the highest quality
of high carbon steel. In addition to Nickel plating high carbon steel also gets
plated in Chromium. Chrome plated instruments also get the advantage of corrosion
resistance, and even if you scratch your tools instead of allowing the "exposed"
steel to oxidize and rust chromium forms a protective film over the break in covering
and prevents any possible corrosion. One more plus of chrome plating is that it
doesn't attract dust, keeping your tools cleaner, longer.
Last, but not least, in addition to stainless steel and plated steels there is cobalt
steel, also known as French or Blue steel. It is considered even more durable and
should last even longer than before needing to be sharpened.
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