Blade coating on M4?

[SparkyMark86]

I really want to expand the range of steels in my knives and have decided that M4 would be a good steel to start with. However, i have some reservations about getting an M4 blade b/c of the rust issue. Since i LOVE Spyderco so much i have been looking at the Gayle Bradley folder, esp. b/c or the thick liners.

My questions is: Will Spyderco ever come out with a COATED M4 blade in the Gayle Bradley? And as a follow up question: Has anyone coated the blade themselves w/ Cerakote or DuraCote? (pics plz)

Thanks

 

[termiteslayer]

I really want to expand the range of steels in my knives and have decided that M4 would be a good steel to start with. However, i have some reservations about getting an M4 blade b/c of the rust issue. Since i LOVE Spyderco so much i have been looking at the Gayle Bradley folder, esp. b/c or the thick liners.

My questions is: Will Spyderco ever come out with a COATED M4 blade in the Gayle Bradley? And as a follow up question: Has anyone coated the blade themselves w/ Cerakote or DuraCote? (pics plz)

Thanks

M4 is a freakin' great steel to start with.
My antique chisels rust and I've used 'em, quite happily, for over a decade.
I don't see why many of my high carbon tools can't survive another 100+ years on the job.
M4 doesn't seem to rust as bad as most of my tool steels, but I haven't really done a fair analysis.
It would be very cool to have a black tungsten DLC coated M4 blade.

 

[JNewell]

My crystal ball says..."who knows?"

With reasonable care, rust should not be an issue. :thumbup:

Even if you do coat the blade, you can't coat the only part that actually matters, which is the edge...

I really want to expand the range of steels in my knives and have decided that M4 would be a good steel to start with. However, i have some reservations about getting an M4 blade b/c of the rust issue. Since i LOVE Spyderco so much i have been looking at the Gayle Bradley folder, esp. b/c or the thick liners.

My questions is: Will Spyderco ever come out with a COATED M4 blade in the Gayle Bradley? And as a follow up question: Has anyone coated the blade themselves w/ Cerakote or DuraCote? (pics plz)

Thanks

 

[mentaculus]

I say, if you're interested, just buy it, and oil it every couple of uses. Even if you only oiled it once a month or less, it would be fine most likely.

Have you tried ZDP-189? I'd recommend that as it's extremely high-performance, but still stainless and quite corrosion resistance in my experience. Of course, I've never used CPM-M4 myself, so I can't compare the two. All the steels Spyderco uses are high-performing however, and I'd say you should choose the knife design over the steel. I have tons of VG-10 folders just because Spyderco has so many designs in the steel, many of which are very appealing to me. If you can get your hands on a Manix 2 in CTS-XHP, that is another very high-performer with great rust resistance, as is s90v if you care to spend the money on something in that. Also, I've found S30v to be quite impressive, despite being commonly used (Spyderco spoils us ). Also H-1 has super edge holding in serrated edge, and very interesting properties.

So basically, my response is, if you really are into the Bradley, don't let the fact that M4 is stainless deter you--a little care and you'll be fine (it's more corrosion resistant than normal tool steel due to it's high Vanadium content via the CPM process). If you're so concerned about rusting, there are plenty of great stainless options like VG-10, S30V, ZDP 189, H-1 and sprints in XHP and S90v. But as I said, in the end, I'd recommend choosing your knives based on the design rather than the blade steel (although of course that should be a factor).

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy whatever you choose to get.

PS-I don't think blade coating really suits something as classy/gentlemanly as the Bradley. An M4 Military with DLC coating would be cool though.

 

[jforbush]

I do Cerakote work to knives and gear and I will tell you it totally changes the looks of your knife. You can see pics of stuff I have done here in the forums but if you want me to post a pic here just ask.

 

[RevDevil]

I say, if you're interested, just buy it, and oil it every couple of uses. Even if you only oiled it once a month or less, it would be fine most likely.

Have you tried ZDP-189? I'd recommend that as it's extremely high-performance, but still stainless and quite corrosion resistance in my experience. Of course, I've never used CPM-M4 myself, so I can't compare the two. All the steels Spyderco uses are high-performing however, and I'd say you should choose the knife design over the steel. I have tons of VG-10 folders just because Spyderco has so many designs in the steel, many of which are very appealing to me. If you can get your hands on a Manix 2 in CTS-XHP, that is another very high-performer with great rust resistance, as is s90v if you care to spend the money on something in that. Also, I've found S30v to be quite impressive, despite being commonly used (Spyderco spoils us ). Also H-1 has super edge holding in serrated edge, and very interesting properties.

So basically, my response is, if you really are into the Bradley, don't let the fact that M4 is stainless deter you--a little care and you'll be fine (it's more corrosion resistant than normal tool steel due to it's high Vanadium content via the CPM process). If you're so concerned about rusting, there are plenty of great stainless options like VG-10, S30V, ZDP 189, H-1 and sprints in XHP and S90v. But as I said, in the end, I'd recommend choosing your knives based on the design rather than the blade steel (although of course that should be a factor).

ZDP-189 will take a patina quickly. I've seen it on a Delica that I had a while back. I used it in the kitchen a couple times to cut up some leeks and I guess I didn't wash it up in time. It's turns a bronze color.