Bodycote Questions...

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Oct 5, 1998
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I've been considering sending my Benchmade 730CFHS blade to Bodycote, but I'm not sure what coating I want. I hear they have a Tungston / Diamond coating, a Boron Carbide coating, and a Chromium Nitrate coating. Doesn anyone know about these coatings?

Second, I hear my BT2 coated blade will be a mess when the coating is removed. Will Bodycote's blasting and re-caoting cover these grind marks, etc? Will it change the way the blade fits in the handle, etc? Wouldn't it interfere with the Axis lock and pivot areas? Does Bodycote have any options for a blade finish underneath the coating?

I've spoken with Ann and the guy to replace her, and I'm still pretty much in the dark. I'd also like to hear your opinions on what I should send in to be coated, and which coating on what. I.E. blast and Boride coat the clip, liners, axis mech., diamond coat the blade, or Chrome and Boride coat the blade, etc. Thanks!!!

-AR
 
Darrell Lewis & Ann Spuller of Bodycote are the people I have spoken with for the following impressions I have.

A new coating called Diamond DLC was shown at the blade show & will probably replace the boron carbide coating used now.

The coating is so thin that it will pick up the current finish of the blade. Example is the Kershaw Chive was a smooth finsh before the boron carbide finish & after finished was very smooth. If the finish is brushed finish it will coat with the brushed finsh showing.

I was hoping it would cover the blade grafitti on a lot of blades, but Ann says that the finigh is too thin to cover it up.

I have not yet recieved my knife back from Bodycote, but so far have been VERY impressed with the level of knowledge & service they provide.

If I mis-spoke, please correct me.

I hope this helps.
 
Originally posted by Jackal
Second, I hear my BT2 coated blade will be a mess when the coating is removed. Will Bodycote's blasting and re-caoting cover these grind marks, etc?
Here's a pic of my Nimravus after the procedure described above, below 710 after the same treatment. No grind marks as you can see.
<a href="http://zvis.com/knives/knimgtmpl.shtml?/images/knives/fix/bm/nimr2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://zvis.com/images/knives/fix/bm/nimr2i.jpg"></a>

Will it change the way the blade fits in the handle, etc?
No, the coating is very thin, few micrones actually.

Wouldn't it interfere with the Axis lock and pivot areas?
I have coated 710 and 730, no problems.
<a href="http://zvis.com/knives/knimgtmpl.shtml?/images/knives/fold/bm/bmaxl3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://zvis.com/images/knives/fold/bm/bmaxl3i.jpg"></a>


Does Bodycote have any options for a blade finish underneath the coating?
Hard chrome, for improved corrosion resistance.
 
Thanks for the info and pics guys. How does this treatment effect the blade edge? They have to blast it, then coat it, so I assume the edge is "gone", which I don't mind, as BM's factory edge sucks. Do they re-sharpen the edge?

I hear the Boride finish doesn't do a whole lot for corrosion...is this true? If so, do I want he chromium treatment underneath? How will this effect the finish look / feel?

It sounds like the Diamond coating is a better option than the chromium & Boride coating, is this true? Is the Diamond coat as wear / scratch resistant as the Boride? How does it look in comparison?

Is it possible to have my liners and axis mech. coated without having to remove the mech. from the liners?

Thanks a million guys.

-AR
 
Originally posted by Jackal
... so I assume the edge is "gone", which I don't mind, as BM's factory edge sucks.
Your assumption is correct, the edge whatever it was is gone.


Do they re-sharpen the edge?
No, you do.

I hear the Boride finish doesn't do a whole lot for corrosion...is this true? If so, do I want he chromium treatment underneath? How will this effect the finish look / feel?
Well, depends. If you live in a swamp may be it's not enough, otherwise, in Bay area I didn't have problems even with bare M2.
I did get HC under BC out of curiosity. 710 in the above has HC layer under BC, Nimravus doesn't. I can't tell the difference visually.

It sounds like the Diamond coating is a better option than the chromium & Boride coating, is this true? Is the Diamond coat as wear / scratch resistant as the Boride? How does it look in comparison?
Sounds better, whenever I did my stiff it wasn't out yet :) I'll try it out as well. Diamond coating should be more resistant though.

Is it possible to have my liners and axis mech. coated without having to remove the mech. from the liners?
Donno, mey be you should ask BodyCote? They're nice people and very helpful.
 
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