Explainer

Not dramatic, but changes nonetheless and ones that perhaps should have been undertaken 100 years ago. World circumstances have forced our hand and they involve the massive uptake of copper in the move to renewables and electric vehicles.

Since their introduction in Japan at the turn of the 20th century and in Australia a short time later, kenzans have used brass pins as the only reasonably priced source of a rust proof material, though it did stain and collect verdigris, principally copper sulphate, which leaches from the alloy.

Brass is a combination of copper and zinc – typically at the rate of 66% – 34% respectively and for a time was the only commercially viable alloy to prevent rust in items used in water.

In 1913 Harry Brearley introduced stainless steel while searching for a way to stop erosion in gun barrels for the British Army. He mixed 12.8% chromium to iron and voilà, he had invented something that would be improved and move the world forward in many other ways. It was used widely for surgical instruments and cutlery from the 1920s and in many forms became indispensable to a modernising world.

So there you have a potted history of stainless steel and of brass, which has been developed since mid–neolithic times, around 500BCE, and its move to the 20th century. Nobody can claim we have rushed into our decision to use Marine grade 316 stainless steel, which is harder, sharper, cleaner, corrosion and rust proof. We have tested our stainless steel nail samples by soaking them in salt water for several months without them staining in any way.

We know that the move will not only produce a superior Kenzan, but will help us to hold back prices increases.