Black-T or Satin...Why?

lureman · Jan 14, 2001

Those that know me know I love and collect Commanders, and am running a want ad for a '98. I've noticed that many Emerson collectors like black-t while others prefer satin. Although I have several black-t Commanders I personally prefer satin. Can anyone convince me I should change my mind?

Thanks...Dan

John Hollister · Jan 13, 2001

My preference is real Satin (uncoated blades), Black-T, Satin (Hard Chrome or CN), then Green-T.

This all depends on the knife too. I'm thinking a Green-T blade with Green Micarta scales would look cool.

John

tattoo · Jan 13, 2001

Real satin is also my preference. What IMHO would really rock would be a true satin,ti bolster,green micata scales and true chisel ground commander, would have to have at least 2 !

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Carpe' Diem
Usual Suspect AKA Tattoo

budrichard · Jan 13, 2001

Black T finish takes away the glint for covert operations and concealed carry. If these are not a concern, than any finish you like will do. I personnaly prefer a "low" profile and prefer Black or Green T.

AncientSUL · Jan 13, 2001

I use to love Black blades. Seem to be the trend when they first came on the scene. Then when u start to use it and they scratch they are really ugly. Now, I prefer satin, true satin finish. I don't think I will be involved in any covert opts anyway. So satin is the preference.

Liong

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Follow The Path of Fantasies.

laserman 1 · Jan 13, 2001

John,that's exactly what I was thinking.A Mini CQC-7 w/green on green, plain satin, now that would be

Of course a Mini Commander with the same specs would be also be

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JimBob

Eric Blair · Jan 13, 2001

I always prefer subdued finishes. My wife always jokes that my favorite color is "tenifer", as in the great finish found on Glocks. In fact, my dream Commander would have a Tenifer finished blade, but I don't suppose that Ernie will be contracting with Glock anytime soon since the Black-T Walter Birdsong finish is very adequate and quite appealing.
Just for fun, I recently sent off a spare Emerson La Griffe to Robbie Barkman for his NP3 treatment. I have a 70 series Colt Combat Commander that was treated with NP3 many years ago and it still looks like new. Once I get the La Griffe back from Robar, I'll post some pix.

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Eric
"The best toys are the ones that you can put an eye out with."

[This message has been edited by Eric Blair (edited 01-13-2001).]

AncientSUL · Jan 13, 2001

Eric,

What is this NP3 coating. What color is it?? Yeah post some pics.

Liong

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Follow The Path of Fantasies.

mr44 · Jan 13, 2001

Satin, true satin is the best, however knife companies like coatings since it means that the blade underneath can be left at a rougher (read: cheaper) finish. Ever polished the coating off of a BM Nimravus, for example? The flats on mine look like a freakin' phonograph record. The public at large also seems to think that black blades are more "tactical" or something, so therefore the demand is there. Oh well. My black CQC-7 still looks cool all scratched up, and cuts just fine.

Hopefully the mythical Emerson Custom Shop will be able to provide a proper satin finish as an option if it ever opens.

Dirk · Jan 13, 2001

True satin is my preference. To me, that is just the way a knife should look. The different coatings are all right, but once they get scratched, the blade just doesn't look right. If it's a real user of a knife, then I don't care about looks.

Eric Blair · Jan 13, 2001

Liong,
Here's a link to Robbie Barkman's site, and it explains exactly what NP3 is.

http://www.robarguns.com/metal2.html
BTW, I've had Robbie do quite a bit of work for me in the past, both finishing and gunsmithing, and recommend him highly. I have a Steyr SSG that he tricked-out which will shoot groups that I dare not even mention because I'm afraid that nobody would believe me. The SSG work that he did was for my third visit to Gunsite (API), back in 1995, and the SSG performed phenomenally, without so much as a hiccup. Robbie can create glass-rod triggers and smoother-than-silk actions like nobody's business. Pure bliss.

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Eric
"The best toys are the ones that you can put an eye out with."