Blade coatings?

A

Atama

Basic Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
216
Hello all! I am looking for a coating for a blade made of 01 tool steel. Didn't see anything like this in the newbie thread so I thought I would ask to be pointed in the right direction. I am looking for something to inhibit rust on the blade, and a by product will (hopefully) be that it should look cool. I was thinking about something like balck oxide, BK2, etc., or other good well wearing blade coating but wanted to ask if anyone had experience with similar type blade coatings. Where can I have the blade coated? When in the process should I have the blade coated? Before or after HT? I am in the planning stage of this knife, and wanted to have the particulars sorted out rather than just just making it up as I go. I am wanting it to be a tactical/survival style fixed blade. Can anyone offer experiences and/or advice? If anyone might have them, pics would be a HUGE help to me as well. Thanks so much in advance!
 
Gun Kote works. I did this one up not too long ago...
DSCN2038.jpg
 
Erik-

That looks pretty darn good! How did you get the tiger stripe effect? Gun Kote seems simple enough to apply to the blade. Did you do this before or after HT? What has been your experince thus far in terms of wear resistance? Thanks again!
 
If you paint the blade (Gun Kote, Duracoat, etc.) it will wear off if you use the knife. Bluing, oxides, "patinas" will all wear quickly also.
The nitride coatings, hard chrome, or electroless nickel will hold up much better.
Or, you could just keep it oiled.
 
Bill-
I am looking for something that will hold up well, though I realize that nothing will be completely impervious. How does one get a nitride coating on a blade? Do I have to send the blade off? If so, where? Do I do this before or after HT? Sorry for so many questions, but I was always told to plan my work, and work my plan. Thanks!
 
Walter Birdsong Black-T coating works extremely well on tool/carbon steel blades. Heat treat first, then coat. If you want to cryotreat, you can do that before or after coating. The oven temps will not be high enough to affect the coating. I use this coating on my aircrew fixed blade and aircrew folder. It shows light scratches from heavy use, but has yet to go through the coating to the steel. I love the stuff, but the wait is long---6 months or more. If you have the time, this is the coating. All other spray/bake coatings will wear quickly. The cost of the Black-T coating is roughly $10-15 per blade plus shipping.

Also, the only thing you want to do to the blade after coating is touch up the already sharp edge. Have the scales already done, with only the glue/pins to worry about when the blade returns. That is how I would do it. My aircrew is para/550 cord wrapped, so that was not a concern for me.

W E Birdsong Associates Inc

1435 Monterey Rd, Florence, MS 39073-9694

Contact Phone: (601) 939-7448
URL (web address): None
Business Category: Mfg & Applies Protective Coatings For Metals in Florence, MS
Industry (SIC): Coating, Engraving, and Allied Services, NEC
 
DeanoD-
So basically finish out the blade itself then have the coating done, ten do the scales. Sound about right? Do you happen to have any pics of blades you've done this way? To add to the "fun" of this blade it will be shaped using trusty Mr. Nicholson file, with the final edge put on with a Lansky system. No grinder here yet!
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=564597

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=600327

I would finish out the blade, to include the scales, but leave the gluing and pins/bolts until after it returns from coating. I would not want to shape scales and take the chance that my sanding will ruin the coating. Just do as much as you can without permanently attaching the scales/handle. If you do screw on scales, that could also make it easier for assembly when it returns after coating. Good luck!
 
Atama said:
Erik-

That looks pretty darn good! How did you get the tiger stripe effect? Gun Kote seems simple enough to apply to the blade. Did you do this before or after HT? What has been your experince thus far in terms of wear resistance? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

All is done after HT and the striping was done with blue painter's tape. I painted the whole blade black, let dry / cure then put tore the tape randomly and laid out the pattern. Then just lightly went back over with green, let dry and untaped. I did mist really lightly and from a distance a quick once over all with black again just to diffuse it. Bake in the oven for an hour and it's done. Yes, it will eventually wear off, however it will take some time. If you screw something up and bake it, you actually have sand / grind off the coating.
 
You could also try Parkerizing the blade. A fairly simple process that holds up pretty good and can be done at home and not have to send the blade out. I think the military has gone to parkerizing allot of its wares.
 
Found yourself a good powder coater. Call you local auto paint supplier. Phone book? You want someone that does small parts like motorcycle parts. The big guy will run your part with theirs, may be a week or so. I found one guy that ran large runs of parts, he was going to charge me 3.00.
Find someone that does small parts it will cost around 10.00 a blade. To me is bargain. Powdercoating is tough as nails. He did 5 blades for me last week, this week looks like I am taking 3 to him.
If you can't find anyone. message me i put in touch with my guy. He can turn it around in week for you. He ain't that busy yet. But I am working on that.
 
Last edited:
If you paint the blade (Gun Kote, Duracoat, etc.) it will wear off if you use the knife. Bluing, oxides, "patinas" will all wear quickly also.
The nitride coatings, hard chrome, or electroless nickel will hold up much better.
Or, you could just keep it oiled.
Click to expand...

Dura Coat is not paint is is a two part epoxy.

Atama, while duracoat and Gun kote are good products they dont have the abrasion resistance for long term knife use, they are meant for firearms where abrasion is not a big problem.

I reccomend CeraCoat, it has been tested to 800 times the wear resistance as duracoat, it is also 30% more flexible. The color choice is not a great as with Duracoat though.

Blueing and parkerizing are also good options. Hope this helps

Here are a couple of pics of pistols that I did. the first is Duracoat (the customer is a Kentucky fan, GO CATS!) and the second is Ceracoat

HPIM0137.jpg


sorry i didnt realize this pic was so blurry

HPIM0167.jpg
 
I have been using Duracoat with great success and customer satisfaction. Here are a couple I have coated.

My Desert Skull Pattern
BeckerDesertSkull.jpg


My Sniper Snake Skin Pattern
BusseSniperSnakeSkin.jpg
 
Duracoat and Ceracoat are still paints, epoxy based or not. They may be very hard, and reasonably durable-but they are still paints.
 
Then can someone recommend a good nitride coater who has reasonable turn-around times and rates? Specifically TiCN?
 
I would love to hear about some nitride coaters that I could send my blades out to. Post them up if you have them.
Thanks
Jake
 
DeanoD said:
Walter Birdsong Black-T coating works extremely well on tool/carbon steel blades. Heat treat first, then coat. If you want to cryotreat, you can do that before or after coating. The oven temps will not be high enough to affect the coating. I use this coating on my aircrew fixed blade and aircrew folder. It shows light scratches from heavy use, but has yet to go through the coating to the steel. I love the stuff, but the wait is long---6 months or more. If you have the time, this is the coating. All other spray/bake coatings will wear quickly. The cost of the Black-T coating is roughly $10-15 per blade plus shipping.

Also, the only thing you want to do to the blade after coating is touch up the already sharp edge. Have the scales already done, with only the glue/pins to worry about when the blade returns. That is how I would do it. My aircrew is para/550 cord wrapped, so that was not a concern for me.

W E Birdsong Associates Inc

1435 Monterey Rd, Florence, MS 39073-9694

Contact Phone: (601) 939-7448
URL (web address): None
Business Category: Mfg & Applies Protective Coatings For Metals in Florence, MS
Industry (SIC): Coating, Engraving, and Allied Services, NEC
Click to expand...

Mr. Walter is a crazy nice guy. He always has some wicked toys in the shop too first class guy that does first class work:thumbup:
 
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