Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is annealed and hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 75 Rc. The hardened strip is then tempered, quenched, surface treated to form a sharpened cutting edge, scored, and separated into a plurality of blades.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc.

Abstract: A composite utility blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a high speed or tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire defines a predetermined cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the cutting edge of the blade. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the high speed or tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a first surface hardness and the second metal portion defines a second surface hardness greater than the first surface hardness.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc.

Abstract: A sheet metal hole cutter has a cap plate defining a substantially circular peripheral groove and an annular shelf extending radially outwardly from the peripheral groove. An elongated band forming an approximately circular shape with opposite ends of the band contacting each other defines a base edge received within the circular peripheral groove in an abutting relationship with an inner edge of the groove. The band defines an axial depth of about ½ of an inch or less, and an outer diameter within the range of about 9/16 of an inch through about 6 inches. A weld region fixedly secures the base edge of the band to the cap plate. The annular shelf of the cap plate extends radially outwardly from the base edge of the band and defines a radial depth of at least approximately 1/16 of an inch in order to prevent over-feeding of the hole cutter through a work piece.

Abstract: A composite utility blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a high speed or tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire defines a predetermined cross-sectional shape that substantially corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the cutting edge of the blade. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the high speed or tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a first surface hardness and the second metal portion defines a second surface hardness greater than the first surface hardness.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 75 Rc. The hardened strip is then subjected to at least two tempering and quenching cycles.

Abstract: A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a high speed steel wire to a front edge of a carbon steel backing strip. Electron beam welding the wire to the backing strip and, in turn, forming a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the high speed steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. Then, a plurality of notches are formed, such as by punching, in axially spaced locations relative to each other along the back edge of the first metal portion of the annealed composite strip.