coatings on blades - whats your opinion?

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penguinabc123

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Dec 10, 2009
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sorry guys i would have searched for it but im not a paying member, i guess thats minus one point for me.

anyhow i thought id see what people thought about coatings on blades ie tini coatings.
do they make a difference? do they wear off to quick to be worth while? or are they mostly asthetically useful.

i thought about this while considering the sog seal pup elite and think i may just opt out of the black tini coating, as im not sure that it will add enough to its performance.
 
IMO on a big carbon steel fixed blade like an ESEE or Becker, coatings do have their place to help prevent against corrosion.

On stainless, I don't see the point to having a coating. It's not necessary.
And with use, it will wear off anyway - ruining the aesthetic of the blade.
 
I don't like coatings on a folder and avoid them when possible. I am ok with coatings on carbon steel fixed blades for outdoor use.
 
The Titanium Nitride (TiNi) or Dimond-Like Carbon (DLC) are much harder than the steel in the knife, so they tend to be pretty durable. The epoxy-based or Teflon coatings get messed up pretty easily though.
 
DLC coatings are pretty neat I like them allot I know it makes the blade look scarier, but it keeps it from being a shiny attention grabber
 
I like coatings for the aesthetic they bring, they look pretty cool. I've found DLCs to be the best and most preferable to other types. DLC types will wear but they last a lot longer than most other types and generally don't chip or flake off.

I don't think you'll get any performance gains.
 
I find non-coated blades are more aesthetically appealing, while coated blades seem to scream "tactical" or "weapon" making them something I avoid for use infront of people...

on carbon steels I can accept the coating... but i still prefer sexy bare metal
 
To each their own, but unless applied to a steel that rusts very easily I see them as completely useless. They create drag when cutting slicing, and any aesthetic benefit is lost after 2 hard uses when scratches become much more visible (and ugly) than they would on a bare blade.
 
I like coatings, especially on my carbon steel blades for rust prevention. I'm not fond of the way bare metal looks, but that's strictly subjective. YMMV.

I usually thin my edges out some, and the coating near the shoulder thins as well, I've never noticed any problem with increased drag or anything like that.
 
kycolonel said:
To each their own, but unless applied to a steel that rusts very easily I see them as completely useless. They create drag when cutting slicing, and any aesthetic benefit is lost after 2 hard uses when scratches become much more visible (and ugly) than they would on a bare blade.
Click to expand...

agreed. I don't understand coatings for the purpose of aesthetics. Would almost always prefer bare
 
From a perspective of aesthetics I do not like them and see no reason that I would ever want or buy a coated stainless blade.

I have never tried a coated non-stainless blade, but I see the utility and might be tempted.
 
For carbon steel camp knives I think a coating is fine, and almost preferable if you're not going to be able to clean the knife immediately after use.

On stainless, I can't stand coatings and avoid them like the plague. The only coated stainless blade I have is an S30V Buck 110 that didn't come with the option of no coating. On carbon steel folders, I say use 'em and let them develop their own patina. In my opinion, a nice patina is a million times nicer looking than a "tactical" black coating.
 
Don't like coatings, because I like to see the grind lines. Much as you wouldn't slap a coat of paint over some nice burl maple, to me there's no point in coating a stainless steel blade.

Even carbon steel can be kept rust free if not immaculate with a little preventive maintenance.

I'm not saying they don't have a place, such as non-stainless in a marine environment.

To each their own though, some like the tactical look that black blades achieve.
 
I have several Buck coated blades in the 110 format. The 420 SS blade are coated with TiN, ZrN, and TiAlN. These blades are chisel sharpened so that the coating is exposed on the micro edge. It was called Buckcote or ion fusion coat. These blades are coated with a hard ceramic like the coating on drill bits and milling cutters. The TiN (Titanium Nitride) is dark gold and Rockwells at 82C. The ZrN (Zirconium Nitride) is champagne colored and Rockwells at 85C. The TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) is dark gray and Rockwells at 92C. In use the edge angles are very acute and the cutting edge is ceramic. The steel wears away in preference to the coat, so the edge sharpens itself. These coatings are very resistant to corrosion and scratching. These blades also make good finishing steels for softer blades (like 60 Rockwell). Another blade (S30V) appears to be TDLC (Tungsten Diamond like Carbon) coated. This blade is not chisel sharpened, and I do not know the hardness of the coating. It still makes a great finishing steel. To use these blades to touch up other blades, you need to know the hardness pecking order. Otherwise you will scratch the coatings. These coatings are much harder than paint, phosphate, or Teflon.
 
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