Benchmade DLC Project

P_Meticulous

P_Meticulous

Joined
Apr 28, 2013
Messages
1,173
After receiving my DLC coated 531-131, I've been amazed by the appearance, texture, durability, and science behind this magnificent coating. I've researched it, talked to people who actually apply it, and have been lucky enough to talk to one person in particular who was able to lead me in the right direction for my own personal project. I just shipped out eight blades to be DLC'ed by one of the best companies in the business.

I completely stripped three 810-1401's and shipped everything to be DLC coated except for the G10 scales and omega springs. Literally everything down to the D-pin, axis thumb-stud, liners and clip screws - damnnn I'm excited! :eek:

I sent two 531-1501 S30V blades, two limited edition 530 S30V blades, and one 154CM 530 blade. I also sent three 53X nested-liners and axis-lock. My plan is to use the DLC coated 531 blade for my CF scales.

The application will take 8 hours and I will get them back in a couple of weeks. I'll then have to sharpen through the DLC coating with my diamond rods, but I actually might send these out for a professional job.

Steel at 60Rc is at 697HV (HV = Micro hardness)
The DLC I chose has a micro hardness of between 2000-4000 HV. Should stand up pretty well to wear :)

It took me two hours to clean and process all this before shipping.. I had to remove everything down to the thumb-studs (the thumb-studs and handle screws will be coated as well).

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Sometimes I think I love the science behind materials more than the actual knife.. :D
 
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That, good Sir, would seem to be a painstakingly meticulous process. :)

Please keep us posted.
 
ourgon said:
DLC should be standard instead that shitty coating which uses BM.
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I agree, the BK1 coating is garbage, it's basically just fancy paint. Same goes for Emerson (even more so at their prices), their teflon junk on their black blades is almost as bad as what Cold Steel used to use. Think about it, US made Kershaw Blurs, which sell for under $60, have DLC coated blades but $120+ Benchmades use paint. I really wish they would adopt DLC as the standard coating across the board for all coated blades.
 
aquaman67 said:
How thick is DLC?

Is all that going to go back together?
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Yes.

Tolerances will not be affected due to the thinness of the coat. Their coatings are between 1-4 microns thick (25 microns = 0.001 inch). The tiniest screw can be coated and function normally. DLC is thin, but extremely hard and wear resistant.

My 531-131 Gold Class is completely DLC coated as well, minus the omega springs. (And it's showing no signs of fading yet)

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That looks great. I'd be interested to know who does this work if you'd like to share.
 
Very interested to see how this turns out, please keep this thread updated with your progress.
 
What an excellent idea PM!! Think I remember the thread you started asking about the durability of this finish.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve!!
Can't wait for the after pictures!!!
I have a few DLC coated blades, Spydie, Pro Tech and Microtech. All have been used and all look great! The Microtech is a 2001 model. When I got it the coating looked scratched through......turns out the 'scratches' were whatever was cut left some of that material on top of the coating! Generous amounts of Ballistol sprayed on the blade, left over night then scrubbed with an old toothbrush.......every mark is gone! Very tough coating!!
We NEED updates my friend and lotsa pics!! Don't think I had to tell you that!!
Joe
 
Mick_1KRR said:
Very interested to see how this turns out, please keep this thread updated with your progress.
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Will do ;)

palonej said:
What an excellent idea PM!! Think I remember the thread you started asking about the durability of this finish.....I was wondering what you had up your sleeve!!
Can't wait for the after pictures!!!
I have a few DLC coated blades, Spydie, Pro Tech and Microtech. All have been used and all look great! The Microtech is a 2001 model. When I got it the coating looked scratched through......turns out the 'scratches' were whatever was cut left some of that material on top of the coating! Generous amounts of Ballistol sprayed on the blade, left over night then scrubbed with an old toothbrush.......every mark is gone! Very tough coating!!
We NEED updates my friend and lotsa pics!! Don't think I had to tell you that!!
Joe
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Man.. I've been looking at Keyman's DLC Ritter pics for years thinking how great the coating looks.. You can tell he uses them, but the rate of wear is nowhere near some of the other coatings uses on knives today. It wasn't until I picked up the 531-131 that I really got to experience it first hand.. Some of you are probably like WTF, is this guy for real.. It's just a coating... :hopelessness: But, after experiencing the lack of resistance to wear that the other coatings had over the years, and swearing off coatings in general.. It's very refreshing to find something that actually works and looks good in the meantime.

Regarding the pics, the next thing you'll see is everything coated, including the blade edges.. Phase two will be the sharpening & stropping process.. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the scales.. I might RIT dye them all black or seek out some CF..

MrSlfDestruct said:
What will it cost to have it done?
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Just contact them for a quote, they have an open door policy. Good people!
 
What a great project,I have wanted to do this but could not find a company to do the coating.
Nice work on your part a lot of preperation and research should pay off when it is done.
I am also curious who is doing the DLC for you,is it affordable to us all?
I believe 250 microns equal about .001 inches:)
 
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ice-pic said:
What a great project,I have wanted to do this but could not find a company to do the coating.
Nice work on your part a lot of preperation and research should pay off when it is done.
I am also curious who is doing the DLC for you,is it affordable to us all?
I believe 250 microns equal about .001 inches:)
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Thanks, it's been a fun learning process :)

I'm having the "Black Widow DLC" coating applied by RobbJack Corp.

Here's some more useful info, just click on the blue links..

PVD Coatings Questions & Answers

I'm not affiliated with the company, so I would highly recommend that you contact them with questions in regard to pricing and application specs.

I found it to be surprisingly affordable ;)
 
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