boron carbide

C

chubby

Joined
Sep 15, 2000
Messages
97
Hey guys,

What's this I've been hearing about you guys experimenting with boron carbide and some ceramic films. How is it performing, when can we expect to see them on production pieces and can they be added to existing pieces?
 
The Strider guys should look at the new "Blade" mag and then look at the huge thread entitled "Boron Carbide Coatings" on the "Knife Reviews/ Testing" forum. There's a smaller thread on the "Blade Discussion Forum" entitled "The Boron Carbide Sebenza". I had a long and unbelievably interesting talk on Monday with Darrell Lewis of Bodycote about boron carbide. He is a very helpful, knowledgeable and nice guy. And Bodycote is a very large, very well-capitalized company. Mr. Lewis mentioned a number of makers (custom and production and all top level) that he has worked with or is planning to work with. He didn't mention Strider other than to say that Bodycote would "like to work with them because their reputation for putting their products through the toughest testing on earth is legendary". (I am paraphrasing the quote heavily.). I have notified John Moore at Mission Knives about Bodycote (he also didn't know much about them) and am sending Mr. Lewis my MPF-1 for boron carbide coating. He says that it works beautifully on titanium (which, I know is not Strider's thing so far). Some of Bodycote's projects in the works that Mr. Lewis discussed with me are unbelievably interesting. If they are successful, it could really create a stir in the knifemaking world. You might want to check Bodycote out.
 
I would wonder why the strider guys would even bother-all coatings, no matter how good, will scratch, peel off, or whatever. with their gear, if you ding it up, they can make it look like almost new for you. i'm sure adding a coating like that would eliminate this service, or add more turn around time. applying a coating would probably add weeks to a month of extra wait time for new blades as well.
Now if someone could do a handgun, I'd be very interested-I've got a browning hi power that needs a facelift.
don't get me wrong, BC is cool stuff, just I wonder how useful it would be here.
cheers,
Derek
 
So far the BC stuff is great for making things black and being very hard. It can get corrosion under it, which is a problem. Everybody seems to be doing some expermentation with it. I am taking two blades to Central America in January with the BC coatings on them, and I'll file a report when I get back.
 
Interestingly, I just bought a blade with BC on it - Microtech Ulteratech 6. I did't even know that it was the lastest craze...

I'd be very interested in finding out how it performs on any Striders blades.

S.
 
Hey Buddy,
Good talking to you tonite...do you need any limpiras for your trip??? I think they will spend as well in Honduras or Nic...also, I think I left something there the last time...got room in your conex box???:D

What - you're not taking a conex box...:eek:
Take Care Buddy,
J
p.s. watch out for the barrilito..
 
Hey,
Yes we have looked at and tried Darrell Lewis's work. Here's the coating world as we see it:
Reasons to coat things;
1. Add color
2. Reduce corrosion
3. Lubricity
4. Extend tool life
5. Subdue appearance
How do these apply to Strider Knives?
1. (Add color) Absolutly applies. We will gladly send any knife ordered to Bodycoat for black coating. It is the most uniform coating by appearance we have ever seen. Cost is dependant on the piece and turn around time is 2-3 weeks.
2. (Reduce corrosion) Applies to all parts with coating present. Areas where coating is not present are attacked. (edge, scratches, wear areas, etc.) Extension of corrosive activity under surface of coating is possible to a certain extent.
3. (Lubricity) NA
4. (Tool life) NA
5. (Subdue) Works well vs. satin or polish finish but is a more reflective finish than we currently use.

Now to close, this coating is not a single coating. Two procedures are the current choice with a third being heavily evaluated by Bodycoat. Mr. Darrell Lewis and his team are bright men offering the best coating we have used and we will continue to communicate with them on future uses.
For field use knives, most operators will scratch the **** out of the knife, paint and repaint it, and then when back to the rear, strip it for maintenance.
Whether or not the coating is worth it is pretty much a personal preference. Just keep in mind it can not be done at the local level and requires more time for us to deliver.
All the best,
Duane Dwyer
 
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