Blade coating on stainless steel, just for the looks?

N

Nal0n

Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
482
Hey all,

I can see the use of blade coatings for carbon steel blades ... everything that keeps the stuff away from water makes for easier maintenance of the blade.

What "use" does blade coating have for a stainless steel blade?
I can understand that people like the looks of it ... I do not, but I can understand.
But is there any "useful" reason to coat a stainless steel blade that I overlook? (apart from camouflage i guess...)

Best regards,
Nal0n
 
While not an issue with most steels and most usage, keep in mind it's stain-less steel, and not stain-proof. Some coatings will actually be less abrasion prone than the steel it covers as well.

Bare steel can be an eye catcher. Perfect example for me was Christmas. All the kids in the room rushed at noticing my FIL's Buck, and I sat on the other side of the table popping zip ties without any of them even noticing I had a knife out.

The whole covering bad grinds excuse is BS too. Modern finishes go on literally microns thick. Meaning your finger print on the blade is going to be thicker than the coating.
 
o4tg said:
While not an issue with most steels and most usage, keep in mind it's stain-less steel, and not stain-proof. Some coatings will actually be less abrasion prone than the steel it covers as well.
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Which coating materials would that be? Never thought of it like that...

o4tg said:
Bare steel can be an eye catcher. Perfect example for me was Christmas. All the kids in the room rushed at noticing my FIL's Buck, and I sat on the other side of the table popping zip ties without any of them even noticing I had a knife out.
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Thanks for sharing, I'll file that under "home-camouflage" ;)

o4tg said:
The whole covering bad grinds excuse is BS too. Modern finishes go on literally microns thick. Meaning your finger print on the blade is going to be thicker than the coating.
Click to expand...

Nice to know, thanks!
 
o4tg said:
Bare steel can be an eye catcher.
Click to expand...

Using my knives in public, this is a definite factor for me. I've been accosted several times for carrying a knife when someone saw the bare blade. But with black blades, I've now actually had someone ask me if i had a shard of glass or plastic in hand as i cut open a package with a coated blade, but usually it simply goes unnoticed. For aesthetics, I prefer bare. For public use, coated. :thumbup:
 
chiral.grolim said:
Using my knives in public, this is a definite factor for me. I've been accosted several times for carrying a knife when someone saw the bare blade. But with black blades, I've now actually had someone ask me if i had a shard of glass or plastic in hand as i cut open a package with a coated blade, but usually it simply goes unnoticed. For aesthetics, I prefer bare. For public use, coated. :thumbup:
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Yeah, I can see that ... I tend to just use my Laguiole in public places ... anything I ever heard was about what a beautiful knife I have despite the 4 inch, non-coated blade ;)
 
Cerakote and DLC are significantly tough. Though it does depend on what abrasion forces are applied. Cerakote for instance is off the charts for pencil hardness testing (literally no lead hard enough to be abrasive to it) while most stainless steels are measurable.
 
The wear on the knife shows better, that is a good thing for some people who like their knives to have character :D
 
I never much cared for it myself, but last year I wanted a paramilitary and all I could find was the DLC model so I went ahead and bought it. I have to admit I've been very impressed with spydercos coating. Doesn't serve any real purpose for me but i like the looks of it and it's nice having something different. I haven't bought any others but I probably will.
 
I always demand that my stainless tantos are coated. That way I am less detectable when I'm doing my covert ops missions. Its vital when I'm piercing armor in the shadows, as the faintest glint of steel might uncover my position, which could mean life or death for me...
 
gooeytek said:
I always demand that my stainless tantos are coated. That way I am less detectable when I'm doing my covert ops missions. Its vital when I'm piercing armor in the shadows, as the faintest glint of steel might uncover my position, which could mean life or death for me...
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^^ Actually, that's what I meant to say!!
 
gooeytek said:
I always demand that my stainless tantos are coated. That way I am less detectable when I'm doing my covert ops missions. Its vital when I'm piercing armor in the shadows, as the faintest glint of steel might uncover my position, which could mean life or death for me...
Click to expand...

Yes, we all know you think blade coatings and tantos are for wannabes. Cool story bro. :rolleyes:
 
DLC coating is known to have really good lubricity. The smoothest knife I own is DLC coated.
 
gooeytek said:
I always demand that my stainless tantos are coated. That way I am less detectable when I'm doing my covert ops missions. Its vital when I'm piercing armor in the shadows, as the faintest glint of steel might uncover my position, which could mean life or death for me...
Click to expand...

Better put some Sharpie on that mirror edge.;)
 
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