Blade Coatings: yes or no?

Blues Bender said:
It may be, I really don't know. I'm pretty sure Cerakote isn't considered a DLC coating though.

People often praise DLC for extra corrosion resistance, when that is actually false.
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Yeah, but it IS more scratch resistant than steel, if done right DOES improve cutting performance, and DOES make it harder to reshape your own blade.

What I'm trying to figure out is how someone with an ACTUAL DLC coated blade can manage to scratch it. I've literally pounded dlc coated knives through steel, cut many, many boxes, etc. and the only thing I can find that leaves major permanent damage is the swarf from sharpening with either sandpaper or stones. Hell, cutting and batoning into concrete barely left a couple of scratches and that's literally banging it directly into a bunch of compressed rocks. How can cardboard conceivably scratch it? Were there pieces of silicon carbide or something embedded into the cardboard? Now, whatever benchmade uses sucks. It's basically paint. And cerakote may protection from corrosion, but it definitely wears away quickly. It looks nice when new, though.

Guy tests dlc, cerakote, and satin finished blades:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...CC-amp-CrN-go-head-to-head?highlight=Dlc+test

There's a really good video in that link showing his testing and comparisons.
 
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Blues Bender said:
I hope people realize that DLC coatings are pourous and do not help with corrosion resistance.
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That was my understanding. So, is there any functional benefit to dlc covering a blade or is it just for appearance.

I like the American Lawman package so much that I carry it often but I would prefer an uncoated version.
 
bodog said:
What I'm trying to figure out is how someone with an ACTUAL DLC coated blade can manage to scratch it. I've literally pounded dlc coated knives through steel, cut many, many boxes, etc. and the only thing I can find that leaves major permanent damage is the swarf from sharpening with either sandpaper or stones. Hell, cutting and batoning into concrete barely left a couple of scratches and that's literally banging it directly into a bunch of compressed rocks. How can cardboard conceivably scratch it? Were there pieces of silicon carbide or something embedded into the cardboard?
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I've scratched a true DLC coating many times.

Also, FYI, cardboard is often made under a process that uses SiC. So yes, often times cardboard has "hidden abrasives".
 
Blues Bender said:
I've scratched a true DLC coating many times.

Also, FYI, cardboard is often made under a process that uses SiC. So yes, often times cardboard has "hidden abrasives".
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Then maybe it wasn't true dlc and instead was some kind of TiN or TICN coating. Don't know if you opened that link and watched the video but if you haven't I'd recommend it.
 
Honestly, some carbon steel blades start to rust while you're looking at them. Uncoated carbon steel blades?.... You're not even supposed to store them in their leather sheaths if you don't plan on using the knife for awhile. And that's even after giving the knife a fine coating of oil. Which is what's needed every time you stop using the blade. It's why I prefer S.S. knives. When I do buy carbon steel ones, I want a good thick coating.

I was upset when I learned that the ESEE 6 I was considering buying, didn't have any white or silver lettering on the blade. Oh no, that big ESEE logo on the blade along with the rest of the writing is actually done by removing that excellent coating in order to form the logo and letters on the blade. I was far from happy to learn that. Bought the knife anyway because I really wanted it. But, I still think it's idiotic to put a great coating on a carbon steel blade.... but then you scrape off substantial portions of it to put your logo and other writing on it??

Years ago, I saw a sketch comedy show by a crappy troupe of comedians basically trying to re-create the success of "The Kids in the Hall." (And failing miserably at it.) That ESEE 6's interrupted blade coating reminded me of a sketch they put on. Warden of a prison welcoming new prisoners to the facility. Bragging how it was an inescapable prison that never lost a prisoner. Then he pointed to a giant fricking hole in one wall that wasn't even guarded. It had just always been there. He very politely said he wanted each prisoner to give him his word that they would not escape through the hole. If they thought up any other escape plan, that was fine. But he wanted their word not to go out the hole. Each prisoner gave his word. You guessed it.... One of them decided, "I'm going out that hole." Even though another prisoner reminded him that they all promised.

Yeah, basically holes in the ESEE coating in several spots. Otherwise, I love the knife. Really wish ESEE came out with a 440C version of it, like they did with the ESEE 4 and the Izula. I hate that uneven coating so much that I plan to get its identical twin sister from the Ontario company. Yes, a RAT 7 has a thinner black coating that seems to come off a bit too easily compared to the ESEE 6. But the coating is even. And unlike ESEE, Ontario doesn't scrape large portions of it off to put their logo on it. They actually put it on top of the coating. Brilliant! Sure, the logo comes off of the knife if you baton with it.

I guess Ontario decided their customers wanted a coated blade that offered good, even protection of their (the customers') knife. You know..... instead of one where the customer could always read the big, obnoxious, logo of the brand. Just in case they should ever forget who made their knife. I do love my ESEE 6. Even went so far as to get custom handle scales for it, along with a custom kydex sheath. But the missing spots where the coating was scrapped off and the reason for having done it; makes this otherwise excellent knife (credit where it's due) look downright ridiculous. It honestly does. It's one reason why I'm getting a RAT 7 and also giving it the custom scales / custom sheath treatment.
 
whp said:
That was my understanding. So, is there any functional benefit to dlc covering a blade or is it just for appearance.

I like the American Lawman package so much that I carry it often but I would prefer an uncoated version.
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Yes, there are several benefits. But to each his own. I don't own many DLC coated bladed anymore but that's because I like to play with the steel: polish it, reshape it, grind out broken tips, etc., and dlc coated knives hinder my fun time.
 
Blues Bender said:
Or... maybe I just use my knives to the point of scratching them.

You have no idea what I use my knives for.
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If you're using your rocksteads to carve mortar out of walls, kudos to you. But don't go acting like cutting marshmallows will scratch real DLC. At least give a disclaimer. "I scratched actual DLC by firmly scrubbing the bevel against a diamond cutting wheel." You don't know what I've used knives for either. I think we'd probably have mutual respect for what we both do so there's no point in bickering. I've abused the crap out of knives the same as you. I've never seen actual DLC have permanent damage unless I was purposefully trying to screw the knife up or got entirely too careless. But even then, whatever it was that scratched the DLC would have most definitely scratched an uncoated blade. Hence why I don't really care for DLC but I can see it being good for others who don't like to mess with maintaining or playing with their knives too much. Tool steels with some level of corrosion resistance, but not enough to be really stainless, I think would be great for DLC coating for the average person who wants a tool steel's performance without the maintenance.
 
bodog said:
If you're using your rocksteads to carve mortar out of walls, kudos to you. But don't go acting like cutting marshmallows will scratch real DLC. At least give a disclaimer. "I scratched actual DLC by firmly scrubbing the bevel against a diamond cutting wheel." You don't know what I've used knives for either. I think we'd probably have mutual respect for what we both do so there's no point in bickering. I've abused the crap out of knives the same as you. I've never seen actual DLC have permanent damage unless I was purposefully trying to screw the knife up or got entirely too careless. But even then, whatever it was that scratched the DLC would have most definitely scratched an uncoated blade. Hence why I don't really care for DLC but I can see it being good for others who don't like to mess with maintaining or playing with their knives too much. Tool steels with some level of corrosion resistance, but not enough to be really stainless, I think would be great for DLC coating for the average person who wants a tool steel's performance without the maintenance.
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If I gave a DLC'd knife to one of the guys I work with, it would come back to me with a stonewashed finish within a week.

I'm not sure what point you are trying to make:confused:
 
Hi! I have a few knives with different types of surface coatings on the blades, from Teflon-like coating to TiNite family, from PVD to DLC.

From an aesthetical point of view I kind of like them :), I agree the use marks, scratches, etc. add on a nice “character” to the blades and, as I sometimes say, like wrinkles on my face, they bring good memories and some stories to share or just remember :). My preferred finish on the blades is anyway a stone washed one.

As far as scratch resistance of surface coatings, from my own empirical experience, putting my knives through a “light utility” EDC type of use (cutting of: various packaging materials, food prep, wood working, different cordages, etc.), I can say they all hold up decently with DLC being really remarkable. Note I don’t scrape walls, cut bolts and nails, hammer metal pipes, cut high voltage electrical cables, etc. :D, so my experience it’s based on that.

As far as corrosion resistance, from my experience these are irrelevant, I don’t see real benefits of coated blades compared to my “naked” steels. Fair to say, I only own stainless steel blades and I maintain my knives.

As far as ease of cutting, compared to uncoated blades, from my experience, it depends on what I am cutting :). For example, I find Teflon-like coatings really good on food (slice through everything like it was butter) but they offer more drag on e.g. wood or polymers. TiNite coatings are quite neutral, can’t say it’s better or worse compared to uncoated blades, in this respect. DLC it’s strange, from my empirical experience, it looks it has a slight drag on food but looks it performs better than uncoated blades on all other media.

Yes, some pics :):

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Just my personal, not scientific at all take on the subject :p. Don’t shoot the piano man! :)
 
91bravo said:
I like for my fixed blades to be coated, to help with corrosion, since I use my fixed blades outdoors in the woods 90% of the time. I like for my folders to be uncoated though. I did just buy a coated folder, so go figure.
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+1. Most of my fixed blades are 1095 or similar steel and I'll take a coating on them to help with corrosion. I prefer no coatings on my folders (although I have a few).
 
I'm really not crazy about coatings, but having an absolutely killer design probably won't be ruined by the presence of one that is well applied.
 
Here's an example.. my Kabar combat tanto without the factory black coat.. it's a whole new knife..
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Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
Coated knives can look good. The better coating do their job well even after some hard use. Some steels really needs a coating for protection. Not a deal breaker as I have a few, but I tend tend to stay clear if given a choice.
In my experience coating usually ensures a knife looses it looks way too fast. Just looks scruffy in no time.

A real bind to take off too.
 
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