Black under coating, a new process?

Matteo Escobar

Matteo Escobar

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Joined
Feb 26, 2002
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4,142
Is Busse doing something different with the heat-treat or process?

I've read multiple posts about a black finish underneath the coating. It's been described as "decarb".

Today I stripped my SAR5, and sure enough it's almost black under the coating.

I've stripped several blades that were manufactured 5+ years ago, and they were not dark like this at all.

Any info?
 
Rumor has it that they have recently switched to a new neutron emitter source.


that reminds me...where has Old Physics been lately?
 
Yeah, it would be interesting to know what's up with the black undercoating - and whether that has anything to do with how it seems that the CG coatings seem to hold up longer and better than before.
 
It seems to be something like a powder coating process. I am interested in this as well. I hope someone in the know responds.
 
My guess this is the same thing that's sort of sweeping many industries. DLC (diamond like coating) is a black finish that decreases corrosion, reduces wear, and increases friction. I first noticed this on Peter Atwood's knives/tools, but when I checked for more information I found that it's been in use for quite awhile industrially.
 
Quoddy said:
My guess this is the same thing that's sort of sweeping many industries. DLC (diamond like coating) is a black finish that decreases corrosion, reduces wear, and increases friction. I first noticed this on Peter Atwood's knives/tools, but when I checked for more information I found that it's been in use for quite awhile industrially.
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DLC would be great but why would they go to that expense only to cover it up? I don't think DLC is cheap and it would have to hold up better than the current coatings.
 
Soulrack223 said:
DLC would be great but why would they go to that expense only to cover it up? I don't think DLC is cheap and it would have to hold up better than the current coatings.
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A question I asked myself, if this is in fact DLC, since it makes a great outer coat by itself.
 
I seem to remember a thread about the new decarb/finishing process a good long while back. Lemme see if I can find it...
 
Here is what Jerry has to say about it. He doesn't mention anything about it being a new process though. It sounds like the knives are just being cleaned up a bit less after the heat-treat and before the coating is applied.

"The comp blades still have a layer of de-carb on them from the heat treat process. . . .That's the black or darker colored steel that you see above the edge. . . De-carb is very prone to rusting on pretty much any steel. . . If you remove it by either grinding or double cutting, then you have the real INFI steel surface and not the modified surface of the de-carb.

INFI has similar rust resistance to ATS-34 and D-2 due to the carbon to chromium ratio. . .

Make sense? If not. . . then you need to drink more!!!!!"

Jerry
 
Matteo Escobar said:
Here is what Jerry has to say about it. He doesn't mention anything about it being a new process though. It sounds like the knives are just being cleaned up a bit less after the heat-treat and before the coating is applied.

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Perfect ! >>>>
That is exactly what is happening :cool::thumbup:... Sorry folks , nothing magic. Its just a company cutting back on time by not sanding all the blades when they come out of heat treat in order to cut back on costs.

Economy sucks ...


I have stripped many newer Busses in my days and the SAR5 was the first blade I noticed the change...
 
Yeah, why double cut it and then coat it? I would have paid the extra $60 for the DC option on both of the NM blades though.
 
Matteo Escobar said:
Here is what Jerry has to say about it. ...

"The comp blades still have a layer of de-carb on them from the heat treat process. . . .That's the black or darker colored steel that you see above the edge. . . De-carb is very prone to rusting on pretty much any steel. . . If you remove it by either grinding or double cutting, then you have the real INFI steel surface and not the modified surface of the de-carb. ...

Jerry
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Good reason to either buy the LE or forget it all and pick up a Cold Steel Recon Scout instead. $300+ and they don't even finish the blade to knock off the decarb. Yeah, I'll drink to that.
 
In the other hand the advantage of INFI de-carb is that you can apply Gun-Blue on it :

304bpft7hc3.jpg
 
Jerry Busse said:
You are correct my friend!!!

Before you all panic, ask yourself how many times has rust on INFI been mentioned on the forums as a really big problem over the past 11 years? Only a handful of all the INFI blades that we have made, have had an issue with rust under the coating, and we have NEVER had a blade returned for rust damage (that I'm aware of). . . .That's not even 1/10th of 1 percent of the total number of blades made!!!:thumbup:. . . . Yes, it can happen, but it's very rare.

The competition grade finish has been covered before. It is ugly, covered in decarb, pitted, and has a wide open grain structure. Therefore it will rust as easily as D-2 or 154CM will under the same conditions. In comparative rust tests, 154CM and D-2 pitted while the oxidation on INFI was only superficial.

Rust 'em up and bust 'em up. . . but more importantly. . . Let's DRINK!!!!! :thumbup:

Jerry :D
Click to expand...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578846&page=4
 
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