Benchmade DLC Project

HousiN said:
I always thought a DLC coating was an all black coating. I'm confused....
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There are many different companies that apply different variations of it, so not all DLC is the same.. Also, blade finish, prior to coating, plays a large role in how the blade will turn out.. I sent in satin finished blades.. Different steel finishes also affect the final look..

RamZar said:
I hope Benchmade starts using DLC instead of BK, etc. It's so much more lasting.

Benchmade in Oregon City, Oregon is only about 15 miles from Ionbond in Wilsonville, Oregon which is where Zero Tolerance (Kai USA in Tualatin, Oregon) send its knives for Tungsten DLC coating.
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I went with RJ Corp/Crystallume because I already have other production knives with their coating and have been pleased with their DLC thus far ;)
 
I'm already figuring which ones I want to do PM!! I am loving the job they did!
Thanks for sharing my friend!!
Joe
 
Yeah, I think I need to give them a call about putting a DLC finish on my sterile D'Eskabar that just arrived yesterday, along with some deep carry clips! If I get an HK Turmoil in time, I may take a shot at disassembling it and sending that blade as well.
 
P_Meticulous said:
The price is based on coating type, part size, and quantity.. It's very affordable, I'd recommend you give them a call with the exact specs of the parts you want coated.

The only caveat is the minimum order charge. It went up from $50 to $100.00 on 06/01/16.. But then again, if you are sending in a few knives like I did, you'll easily surpass the minimum order charge.
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Dang, well, that does it for me then. :(

I guess the only way I'll get it done is if a few of us get together on an order.
 
RamZar said:
Benchmade in Oregon City, Oregon is only about 15 miles from Ionbond in Wilsonville, Oregon which is where Zero Tolerance (Kai USA in Tualatin, Oregon) send its knives for Tungsten DLC coating.
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P_Meticulous said:
I went with RJ Corp/Crystallume because I already have other production knives with their coating and have been pleased with their DLC thus far ;)
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Ionbond is a large scale world-wide coating company and perhaps they won't even take orders from small customers.

However, the reason I mentioned them is that Benchmade has access to a world-class coating company in their neighborhood.

Of course, it adds to the cost to go with DLC vs. B but the difference is a real protective coating versus paint.
 
I'm pretty sure those of us that like coated blades wouldn't mind an increase for that coating.
Joe


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palonej said:
I'm already figuring which ones I want to do PM!! I am loving the job they did!
Thanks for sharing my friend!!
Joe
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Awesome! Go for it!

Knivesandreels said:
I think the clips should all be dlc; that finish they have lasts about a month or less
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Agreed, the painted clips are horrible.. I've bumped my DLC coated clip on doors, walls, and other surfaces, with no adverse affects. No scratching or fading yet.

RamZar said:
Of course, it adds to the cost to go with DLC vs. B but the difference is a real protective coating versus paint.
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palonej said:
I'm pretty sure those of us that like coated blades wouldn't mind an increase for that coating.
Joe
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9th post down, point #4.. Hopefully they opt for DLC in the future..

http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/850006370101/p/1
 
loonybin said:
Interesting that you used the Black Widow DLC, since the company's application guide does not list it in the application list for stainless steel or hardened alloy steel.
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I went with Black Widow DLC because that's what they use on knives.. Keep in mind that each coating has different application temperatures.. You wouldn't want to ruin your blade's heat treatment, right? I highly recommend calling and talking to one of their reps..

http://www.crystallumepvd.com/pdf/CrystallumePVD.pdf
 
Tough dlc applications on high rc xtp blades is part of the reason Cold Steel provides such high value these days. The dlc seems to be wearing very well.. I haven t yet made a scratch on my American Lawman blade despite some hard use landscaping work. . That said , I still wish I had an uncoated option.
 
I think Buck was using Black Widow DLC on their Alaskan Guide Knives around '08-'09, prior to switching to TiAN.. After reading multiple reviews of both versions, the consensus was that more people preferred Black Widow DLC because it was more resilient to wear..

Here's a few sources I found after a quick search.. There are more reviews online..

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Alaskan-Guide-Knives/1242317.uts

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/582903-TiAIN-vs-DLC-BLACKWIDOW-Coatings

You'll have to sift through reviews for the current TiAN Vamguard lineup, but here's one for an example:

B824AF70-8896-422F-963E-6B1D814C8B2F_zpsfxsbcuv6.jpg
 
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DLC is the best coating! Amazes me that BM still doesn't offer it. The Ritter Grip in M4 and DLC was a smash hit and yet they have never done it since for any of their M4 blades (to my knowledge). Why?
 
Buffalohump said:
DLC is the best coating! Amazes me that BM still doesn't offer it. The Ritter Grip in M4 and DLC was a smash hit and yet they have never done it since for any of their M4 blades (to my knowledge). Why?
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My guess is cost and that DLC offers little to no corrosion resistance.
 
Buffalohump said:
The Ritter Grip in M4 and DLC was a smash hit and yet they have never done it since for any of their M4 blades (to my knowledge). Why?
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A rep on BKC's home forum mentioned that cost and lead times were a reason they don't use it more often (9th post down)..
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/850006370101

Cerakote is probably cheaper and offers significantly better corrosion protection compared to DLC coatings. Cerakote is a ceramic coating, so any moisture, liquid or oil usually beads-up and rolls off the coated surface.. The downside to Cerakote is that it lacks in wear resistance and scratches/fades off easier with real use, creating an aesthetically unappealing look.
For Example:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1065817-for-those-who-ask-how-cerakote-holds-in-the-time

On the other hand, you have DLC.. Which is harder than steel ("Black Widow DLC has a micro-hardness between 2,000-4,000HV. Steel at 60Rc is around 697HV) and can abrade softer materials during cutting applications without negatively affecting the DLC itself. So, huge plus in the wear resistance category.. The downside to DLC is that it offers minimal corrosion resistance. However, if you use modern stainless steels, corrosion is really a non-issue.. Especially if you properly maintain your blades.
 
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Thanks for the info! :thumbup:

P_Meticulous said:
A rep on BKC's home forum mentioned that cost and lead times were a reason they don't use it more often (9th post down)..
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/850006370101

Cerakote is probably cheaper and offers significantly better corrosion protection compared to DLC coatings. Cerakote is a ceramic coating, so any moisture, liquid or oil usually beads-up and rolls off the coated surface.. The downside to Cerakote is that it lacks in wear resistance and scratches/fades off easier with real use, creating an aesthetically, unappealing look.
For Example:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1065817-for-those-who-ask-how-cerakote-holds-in-the-time

On the other hand, you have DLC.. Which can be harder than the steel it's protecting ("Black Widow DLC has a micro-hardness between 2,000-4,000HV. Steel at 60Rc is around 697HV) and can abrade softer materials during cutting applications without scratching off itself. So, huge plus in the wear resistance category.. The downside to DLC is that is offers minimal corrosion resistance. However, if you only really use modern stainless steels, corrosion is really a non-issue.. Especially if you properly maintain your blades.
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