Abstract: A blade of ceramic material is treated to enhance the strength and sharpness of the cutting edge. In one embodiment, ceramic particles along at least one margin of an edge-forming face are fused, such as by a laser treatment. The edge margin can have a hard ceramic coating of a different ceramic material such as a nitride of chromium, zirconium, titanium, titanium carbon or boron. The hard ceramic coating can be used alone or in conjunction with the laser treatment. The invention includes the methods of treating the edge, both to form the hard ceramic coating and to fuse the particles by scanning with a laser, such as an ultraviolet laser.

Abstract: A fluid resistant article which includes a panel portion formed of a flexible fluid resistant material having a first side surface and an opposite second side surface where the panel portion has an elongate opening formed therethrough. The article also includes a fluid resistant zipper including a zipper tape supporting a pair of first teeth and a set of second teeth that are engagable and disengagable with one another to define an opening state and a closed state. The zipper tape is secured in a substantially sealed manner to a margin area of the panel portion adjacent to the elongate opening. There is also at least one finger hold disposed proximate to one of the zipper and configured for engagement by a user's finger to assist operating the zipper.

Abstract: A blade of ceramic material is treated to enhance the strength and sharpness of the cutting edge. In one embodiment, ceramic particles along at least one margin of an edge-forming face are fused, such as by a laser treatment. The edge mardin can have a hard ceramic coating of a different ceramic material such as a nitride of chromium, zirconium, titanium, titanium carbon or boron. The hard ceramic coating can be used alone or in conjunction with the laser treatment. The invention includes the methods of treating the edge, both to form the hard ceramic coating and to fuse the particles by scanning with laser, such as an ultraviolet laser.

Abstract: A blade of ceramic material is treated to enhance the strength and sharpness of the cutting edge. In one embodiment, ceramic particles along at least one margin of an edge-forming face are fused, such as by a laser treatment. The edge mardin can have a hard ceramic coating of a different ceramic material such as a nitride of chromium, zirconium, titanium, titanium carbon or boron. The hard ceramic coating can be used alone or in conjunction with the laser treatment. The invention includes the methods of treating the edge, both to form the hard ceramic coating and to fuse the particles by scanning with laser, such as an ultraviolet laser.