Bead-blast change of opinion.

fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
6,192
Just thinking out loud again...

I used to hate bead-blast and felt it was just a cop-out for companies who didn't want to take the time to properly polish their blades.
Bead blast rusts MUCH MUCH more easily and scratches more easily.

All those things are still true, but I've come to like one particular property of bead-blast blades. They hold lubricant/rust protector rather well.
If I coat a bead-blasted blade with BreakFree or RemOil it STAYS there for a LONG time which prevents rust longer than a satin blade where the oil doesn't stick and will actually rust faster sometimes.

I still PREFER polished blades and REALLY prefer coated blades (but only if it's a borderline rust-resistant steel. I can't see putting a coating on a blade like AUS-6 that doesn't rust easily.)

I'm not saying, by any means, that I love bead-blast, but they aren't nearly as nasty as I once thought and do have some advantages.

Just a thought. I don't hate bead-blast as much as I used to. Of coarse I came to this opinion from bead-blast Microtechs which are rather well done. But I still think I'd like to see companies like CRKT or Gerber offer polished blades as an option.

P.S. Isn't it odd that different manufacturers have such different bead-blast finishes? Some are smooth, neat, and well-done; nearly satin, while others are rather coarse and messy.
 
I never have a bead blast till my CRKT Point Guard came .. it's nice and yes, it holds oil better..

i really like the non reflective feature ...

Does AUS6 in bead blast survive equally well with 440C in satin finish? (i.e. put some salt water and let it dry on?)
 
Well, as for a bead blast finish holding rust inhibitor longer yeah. It is actually the same reason that they will rust quicker. The pores of the metal are more open, and will absorb and hold more. If you fill them with oil then it will inhibit rust, but if you don't then it will collect moisture from the atmosphere.

I agree as far as looks and usability are concerned. It will scratch easily, rusts quicker, and in general doesn't look as nice. Now for a user and beater I don't mind much, as long as I can save a few pennies. But in most cases if given a choice, ie Microtech, it is the same price as stonewash. I really like the stonewash finish. It looks decent, won't rust easily, and doesn't get that beat up looking when used.

As for differences in the quality in finish, I guess its a case of you get what you pay for. I do like the bead blast on Microtechs better than CRKT, and some others. But then again you pay a good bit more for it.
 
I hate the finish for all the reasons you've given, but I do have quite a number of them in my collection. At SOG, it was the cheap way of making a blade non-reflective without going to a coating. I like things done the "right" way and don’t mind paying a little more.
 
To get a nice, proper bead blast, blades should be finishd to about 600 grit or they will show scratches. So if done correctly, the blades are "finished" before they are blasted.
 
As far as "holding oil" better they do there are lots of places for it to hide ;) . Im not against bead blasting, but I do not like the high maintenence with some knives, such as CRKT bead blasted blades. Ive had a few of those rust on me, even with good care. I took a magnifying glass once to a CRKT Craw/Kasper I had and it looked like the moon!!!! Nothings wrong with bead blasting a blade, but its to easy to hide imperfections this way. There are blades though that are bead blasted and of better quality.
 
Originally posted by Ron Andersen
I hate the finish for all the reasons you've given, but I do have quite a number of them in my collection. At SOG, it was the cheap way of making a blade non-reflective without going to a coating. I like things done the "right" way and don’t mind paying a little more.
Click to expand...

SOG? I'm a fan of Sog and one of the reasons I like Sog is that they DON'T bead-blast the hell out of everything. In fact, off the top of my head, I can only think of one bead-blast Sog - the Tactical Ranger. Most are coated or polished. No? I figured you guys did that on purpose to set yourselves apart.
 
Bead blasted blades are cheezy. It's about time that companies like MOD, Microtech, and Emerson quit doing that to their blades. I used to shy away from these companies just because of the bead blasting. :barf:
 
I don't want to start a new thread, this seems like a good time to ask. I am wondering if black oxide finishing is just to subdue the blade's color or if it prevents corrosion too. Since it is part of the metal, it will not wear off easily, right?
 
I was discussing bead blasting w/ another knife nut the other night. I noted that only in the knife industry is a bead blast considered a final finish. In every other industry I know of (mostly painting of steel and aluminum) it is a preperatory finish. Just a thought. Done properly, I think it looks great, almost sparkles in the right light.
 
Originally posted by fulloflead
SOG? I'm a fan of Sog and one of the reasons I like Sog is that they DON'T bead-blast the hell out of everything. In fact, off the top of my head, I can only think of one bead-blast Sog - the Tactical Ranger. Most are coated or polished. No? I figured you guys did that on purpose to set yourselves apart.
Click to expand...
Well, let me list them for you:
  • Pentagon Elite I
  • Pentagon Elite II
  • X-Ray Vision
  • Mini X-Ray Vision
  • Tactial Ranger
  • X-42 Recondo (has periodically)
I might have forgotten something. There've also been parts of knives which have been bead blasted (like steel cross guards).

Hope this has been helpful.
 
I've never had a bead blast knife rust. Looks ok on tactical styled knives, and some outdoors knives. Looks great with a nice, shiney stropped edge!
 
I kinda like a bead blasted finish, probably because a shiney knife looks like a flea market special to me. It's just my taste, then again I like to watch MST3k so my taste in things is somewhat peculiar.
 
It all depends on the type of finish the bead blasting leaves,
a fine BB with a more satin like finish is great.
Like CRKT's Grey Ghost model.
A BB with a finish that is rougher, like CRKT's Apache
model, is not so appealing.
I think CRKT has improved there BB.
It seems to be a finer finish. Unlike some coatings,
BB hides finger prints very well.
 
I actually like bead blasted blades...it's a nice change and creates a unique look. I have the SOG X-Ray Vision - couldn't be happier, and want to get a Pentagon.
 
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