Abstract: A knife includes a knife body defining a longitudinal axis. The knife body includes a support portion and a beveled blade portion extending from the support portion. The beveled blade portion includes two end regions in a direction of the longitudinal axis and an intermediate region positioned between the end regions. The end regions have a first hardness, and the intermediate region has a second hardness. The second hardness is greater than the first hardness. The end regions of the beveled blade portion are configured to preferentially wear relative to the intermediate region.

Abstract: A chopping blade includes a mounting portion defining a mounting plane, and a working portion connected to the mounting portion. The working portion includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a body extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The body includes a first surface adjacent the leading edge and at least partially oriented at a first angle relative to the mounting plane, a second surface adjacent the trailing edge and at least partially oriented at a second angle relative to the mounting plane, and an intermediate surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The intermediate surface has a first portion extending from the first surface at an angle relative to the mounting plane that is steeper than the first angle, and a second portion extending from the second surface and joining with the first portion to form a peak.

Abstract: A reciprocating cutting blade includes a body portion having an top surface, a bottom surface, a longitudinal axis, a first working portion extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis and defining a first cutting surface, a second working portion extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis and defining a second cutting surface. A laser-hardened region extends along at least part of one of the first and second working portions, and preferably along at least part of both of the first and second working portions. The working portions can be serrated to include alternating teeth and roots. The teeth can be laser hardened more than the roots.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cutting blade includes providing a blank that is to be formed into a cutting blade. The blank has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The method further includes forming a bevel on the first edge, the bevel defining a cutting edge in a first location with respect to the top and bottom surfaces, and then repositioning the cutting edge of the bevel on the first edge to a second location with respect to the top and bottom surfaces. Preferably, forming the bevel includes one of milling, coining, shearing, and rolling the first edge, and repositioning the cutting edge includes changing the orientation of the bevel using a stamping die.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cutting blade includes providing a blank that is to be formed into a cutting blade. The blank has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first edge extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The method further includes forming a bevel on the first edge, the bevel defining a cutting edge in a first location with respect to the top and bottom surfaces, and then repositioning the cutting edge of the bevel on the first edge to a second location with respect to the top and bottom surfaces. Preferably, forming the bevel includes one of milling, coining, shearing, and rolling the first edge, and repositioning the cutting edge includes changing the orientation of the bevel using a stamping die.