Black Blades

Archer Here · Dec 14, 2008

What is the black that I see on some knives except where the grind is in the blade. Is it paint, a black powder coat? I love that look and want to do that.

jll346 · Dec 14, 2008

Here is a great product several have used here on the forum. Very easy to use and gives a nice finish from pictures that have been posted.http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm

Garrett Schmidt · Jan 21, 2009

This is somewhat of an old thread but let me throw my 2 cents in. There are tons of different options to "paint" the blade. The one that really stands out to me is duracoat. Once it is fully cured, it is near impossible to get off. It is primarily marketed as a firearm finish but you could use it on a blade as well. I've looked at some of the rifles they paint with it in person and it is truly amazing. You seriously have to grind it off to get it off.

ryan9977 · Jan 21, 2009

garret....have u used the duracoat?.....one thing i always wondered about those finises is doesn't it mess up your heat treating?.....how do people get around that?.....ryan

B.V. · Jan 21, 2009

I have used Duracoat and it is very good, even for kydex sheaths. Lots of colors too. Durabake is easier to apply (like spray paint) but scratches and wears some. I have a blade that has K-kote on it and it is ok. The one I would like to try is cerakote. Google it.....I think it may be worth a try!!!

Duracoat does not require baking......just about 4 weeks cure to max hardness. The Durabake does need heat, but you can go with 150 deg. for longer time or 300 for a shorter time in the heat/oven. K-kote needs a 300 deg heat too. Most of the knives I used it on were tempered at 350-400 deg. anyway so there was no adverse effect.

The coolest I ever looked at is done by Armoloy(SP?). I think it was called xadc coating and it has an RC of 90 or 98. It is Hard Chrome with sphereical industrial diamonds in it......but it is expensive. I wondered if enough guys wanted it if it would be considered one job that all could chip in for????? Has anyone else ever heard of the stuff?

Garrett Schmidt · Jan 21, 2009

I haven't hear of that stuff but it may be worth looking into.

Lauer Weaponry (where duracoat is made) sells duracoat to oil rig platform companies to protect delicate steel parts under water in salt water. Tough stuff. I haven't used it myself but did have an old desert eagle painted with it and it worked great. Prevents scratches, rust, and almost has a self lubricating quality since it is so hard.

foxbat34 · Jan 21, 2009

Just to let everyone know, i am also a gunsmith. One of the areas we have been doing alot of work is coatings (i.e. duracoat, cerakote etc.) here are some of the pros and cons
Duracoat Pros
1. available in a wide variety of colors including everything from camo colors to neon!
2. It does not have to be baked (although it can be)
3. it is durable

Duracoat Cons
1. It is not indestructable!
2. when it comes to knives there is some flex, duracoat does not like to flex (although with and additive some degree of flexibility can be attained)
3. Although it seems easy i went through much trail and error to find the right mixing consistency and equipment to get good results

Cerakote Pros
1. This stuff is tough. In an abrasion test it is 800 times tougher than duracoat!
2. Flexibilty. Cerakote can flex up to 30%
Cerakote Cons
1. Application, Cerakote must be baked (air cure is available but does not do well in my experience)
2. Prep. The surface must be sand blasted.
3. limited color selection
I hope this helps. If anyone would like more info or even want me to send a sample to you just let me know.
I have pics of both finishes but I just had to reformat my computer and lost them, should have them loaded back up soon and i will post pics

Garrett Schmidt · Jan 21, 2009

foxbat34 said:
Just to let everyone know, i am also a gunsmith. One of the areas we have been doing alot of work is coatings (i.e. duracoat, cerakote etc.) here are some of the pros and cons
Duracoat Pros
1. available in a wide variety of colors including everything from camo colors to neon!
2. It does not have to be baked (although it can be)
3. it is durable

Duracoat Cons
1. It is not indestructable!
2. when it comes to knives there is some flex, duracoat does not like to flex (although with and additive some degree of flexibility can be attained)
3. Although it seems easy i went through much trail and error to find the right mixing consistency and equipment to get good results

Cerakote Pros
1. This stuff is tough. In an abrasion test it is 800 times tougher than duracoat!
2. Flexibilty. Cerakote can flex up to 30%
Cerakote Cons
1. Application, Cerakote must be baked (air cure is available but does not do well in my experience)
2. Prep. The surface must be sand blasted.
3. limited color selection
I hope this helps. If anyone would like more info or even want me to send a sample to you just let me know.
I have pics of both finishes but I just had to reformat my computer and lost them, should have them loaded back up soon and i will post pics

That about covers it. Great post.:thumbup:

J-siah · Jan 21, 2009

I have done powder coat and has recently used KG-gunkote 3400 series paint. the gunkote is far better in my opinion, it is more expensive but its as tough as any coating I have ever seen.

-Josiah