Carbidizer?

[Jrmysell]

I am about to start attempting to make some framelocks and recently saw some people use carbidizers on the lock face. I have and have read Bob Terzuola's book. He doesn't mention needing one, but I don't want to make a knife and send it to someone and have the lock start sticking. So, my question is are they really needed? Do they make enough difference that the cost is worth it? Or is it just a thing where they make them slightly nicer?

 

[tiguy7]

View attachment 1139161 A Carbidized surface is a little rough so it might not alleviate lock stick. The deposited particles are usually Tungsten Carbide. What the coating may do is prevent wear to the lock bar so it will not develop over travel (towards the non-lock side).
Most lock stick issues involve raw Titanium, which is not very slippery, rubbing on a steel tang. A hardened steel insert on the end of the lock bar is common solution.
The photo is of the edges of 2 blades which were Carbidized on the non-bevel side. On the left is a Titanium blade coated with Titanium Carbide; on the right is a steel blade coated with Tungsten Carbide.