Coated vs. Patina vs. Bare

B

Bridgeman

Joined
Oct 1, 2005
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A lot of threads have been started both here as well as in other forums that have to do with removing the epoxy coating and either replacing it with a patina or leaving it bare.

So, I want to know... Why? Not so much "why" philosophically, but why did YOU do it? Or why did YOU choose not to.

I have just finished removing the coating from the primary grind of my BK2 and am in process of mirror polishing the blade. I'm almost finished and will post pics when done. I did it because I believe that the smooth edge should chop and batton a bit easier. One advantage of a convex grind is that the material, as it rolls off of the edge, does not bind on the grind as it does on a flat grind. My thinking is that, as friction is a concern, that a polished surface on the flat grind will provide less friction than a coated one. Not as slippery as convex, but better than coated.

The second reason, and maybe the major reason that I did it was because the CRKS high polished BK2 look so dang cool! I was going to strip and polish the entire knife, but I REALLY like the way the knife looks with the black on silver effect. I don't feel rust will be a problem unless she is rode hard and put up wet. A quick wipe with a dry cloth and a bit of oil or Rig before storage and I don't think the rust will be an issue.

Thoughts? And why did you do yours, or why did you not?
 
Here's a mustard patina I did on my bk-7: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=736194&highlight=hello+becker+forum

Well, the biggest reason for me was that I like how it looked.
Secondly, the coating was starting to wear already, so I helped it along and I find that there is less friction when batoning compared to how it was before.

Kyle.

EDIT: I just looked through the thread I posted, and noticed you've seen this one already. :D
 
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I just finished stripping and sanding (round 1) last night, and I am in love all over again. My reasons for it were, 1) I have never liked a coated blade, they seem to show wear real bad. 2) I use the spine of my knife to strike my firsteels, and the coating interferes and gets "burn" marks. I didnt want to just remove what I needed. 3) I use it for food prep also, and though I doubt it really matters, but how much epoxy powder coat is being left on my food? Probably none, but what if it was?

I remember the first "real" knife I ever owned, it was a KaBar USMC Fighting knife, given to me by an uncle that was a Korean Vet. He gave it to me prior to a long hunting trip we went on. The leather handle was black as coal from years of use, but the blade was shiny and sharp. He taught me how to use it, clean it, and sharpen it. Years later I broke it while batoning some wood, so I went out and got another one. Brown leather handle and black blade. Didnt look the same, but worked just as good. I have broken 3 KaBars since that blade (All batoning, bad technique I found out later) and when they all broke, they all had black handles and shiny sharp blades. I have 2 USMC KaBars put up for my daughters, and one that is getting very little use (blame it on BK2), so in summary, I guess in my book, the black goes on the handle. Moose
 
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I'm leaving my factory coating on until it wears off in the field. If my BK-2 wants a patina, it's going to have to earn it. :D
 
insomnia said:
Here's a mustard patina I did on my bk-7: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=736194&highlight=hello+becker+forum

Well, the biggest reason for me was that I like how it looked.
Secondly, the coating was starting to wear already, so I helped it along and I find that there is less friction when batoning compared to how it was before.

Kyle.

EDIT: I just looked through the thread I posted, and noticed you've seen this one already. :D
Click to expand...

Yes, I had already seen yours, and I like it, but now I know the "why", and it is basically the same two reasons I stripped mine. I might have to go with a patina if rust becomes an issue. Pics later today I hope.

Greg

It's now "later today" and here are the pics. Might try it out on the wood pile in a bit.

IMG_0518.jpg


IMG_0519.jpg


IMG_0520.jpg
 
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I haven't ever stripped my knives. I like it when the coatings start to wear off. It makes it look like it is well loved in a natural way. The bare blades I buy, I let patina naturally, and then they look well loved in a natural way :thumbup:
 
insomnia said:
Looks good Bridgeman! :thumbup:

Kyle.
Click to expand...

Thanks insomnia. :thumbup:
Now, like TheGame does, I intend to let it get a natural patina by giving it a lot of love out in the field, or maybe even the kitchen.
I have a Schrade 165 that sees duty in the kitchen quite often. Building a nice natural patina.
 
Bridgeman said:
Yes, I had already seen yours, and I like it, but now I know the "why", and it is basically the same two reasons I stripped mine. I might have to go with a patina if rust becomes an issue. Pics later today I hope.

Greg

It's now "later today" and here are the pics. Might try it out on the wood pile in a bit.

IMG_0518.jpg


IMG_0519.jpg


IMG_0520.jpg
Click to expand...

WOW, that looks AWESOME.
 
I'm glad you posted pictures. I wasn't sure if I would like the silver on black effect, but it looks awesome! Great work.
 
Thanks for the compliments guys. They are appreciated.
I am very interested in others who have stripped their Beckers, and why.
Or those who have not, and why.
Whether for aesthetics, function, nothing to do on a Saturday afternoon, etc.,
and the results.
If you did strip it, did you notice a difference in ease of use, difficulty in maintaining the blade, etc.

Keep em' coming.
Thanks
 
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