Differences in Kershaw Coating(Tungsten DLC, Boron, TiNi)

G

gotaction

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Aug 4, 2006
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I've been wondering about this for a little while becuase I am ordering a Chive which I found out is Tungsten DLC coated. But I see many other types of Kershaw knives with different coatings such as Boron and TiNi. On their website they only talk about the Boron Carbide and the Titanium Nitride. I was wondering what the differences and advantages/disadvantages of Tungsten DLC, Boron Carbide and Titanium Nitride were? Do any of them have Teflon-like properties that make them non-stick? Because I know my buddy has a Buck knife with a Teflon coated blade and that seems like an awesome feature.
 
This is something that I have been wondering about, too. Both my Blackout and Spec Bump seem to have the same coating, and it's been great for me. I certainly am not afraid to use my knives and the finish has held up great over the years... I don't know what type of coating it is, though.
 
I hate black coatings, except for TiNi, which I think is both attractive and proven as endurable as the blade itself in my experience. In fairness, I haven't tried Kershaw's other coats, I only bought a black Benchmade and the coat might as well have just been electrical tape. It looked terrible and it scratched easily. I've heard good things about DLC and boron, and in my experience, Kershaw is the master of blade coatings, so give them a shot, but I've been ruined by Benchmade's coat, so the only thing I'd consider right now is TiNi.
 
DLC (Diamond Like Coating) is where its at! Spyderco (on their USA made knives), BladeTech, Kershaw, and only a few of others seem to use it, but I wish more would. It is significantly harder than the blade steel, and doesn't seem to scratch as easily as the other types of coating I've seen & used (TiNi, BT-2, Teflon-based). It is not cheap either.

Regards,
3G
 
gotaction said:
Tungsten DLC coated
Click to expand...

Tungsten DLC coatings are usually very tough and wear resistant.
It can be considered as one of the best blade coatings available.
 
Andy_CN said:
Tungsten DLC coatings are usually very tough and wear resistant.
It can be considered as one of the best blade coatings available.
Click to expand...
Is that what's on my Spec Bump?
 
Thanks for the response guys but I take it that the coatings just whoop ass but there's not much difference between? Man now I'm sad because the Chive I ordered didn't go through or something and now its out of stock, guess I gotta order from somewhere else! But 20.99 for a Tungsten DLC Coated Chive was a steal. I found a place selling a TiNi Coated Chive for 24.99, anyone think that isn't a good deal?

EDIT: Nevermind, that TiNi coated Chive was sold already!
 
My two TiN knives have been extremely scuff and scratch resistant, much more so than a teflon or "BM" coated blade. I appears it takes something in the diamond range of hardness to cut through to the softer steel; concrete and dirt always seems to have something in this range (not that I dig with my blades - the army gave me enough experience with issued tools to know better.)
There are actually two methods being discussed - plating, which is molecular deposition by an electrolytic action, and coating, which at it's best is still paint. Coatings all seem to come off rapidly. TiN treated blades are better if the plater doesn't reduce hardness during the treat.
 
Andy_CN said:
Yeah, both knives, your Kershaw Spec Bump and your Kershaw Blackout,
have Tungsten DLC coated blades :)
Click to expand...

Then I highly recommend the Tungsten DLC finish. I've had my Blackout for around 4 years, used it daily, and there are no scratches in it...
 
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