DLC coating on fixed blades

C

Charlie Martinez

Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
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Hello everyone. Apologies if I'm asking something too obvious but my ignorance is considerable on this specific topic: any suggestions on a mass production survival knife black DLC coated ? Really appreciate any inputs.
 
Charlie Martinez said:
Hello everyone. Apologies if I'm asking something too obvious but my ignorance is considerable on this specific topic: any suggestions on a mass production survival knife black DLC coated ? Really appreciate any inputs.
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Are you asking for recommendations for a knife , or more in general about DLC coating on a survival knife ?

Need more particulars if you want a specific knife . Fixed or folder . Size . Main uses . Preferences for blade and handle shape and materials . Price range . Etc.

DLC coating is much tougher than many of the older types but can still be scratched in hard use . Provides a black blade , smooth slippery surface , and might help some to prevent scratches . Not really a rust proofing , but might help hold anticorrosives . May simplify maintenance .

 
DocJD said:
Are you asking for recommendations for a knife , or more in general about DLC coating on a survival knife ?

Need more particulars if you want a specific knife . Fixed or folder . Size . Main uses . Preferences for blade and handle shape and materials . Price range . Etc.

DLC coating is much tougher than many of the older types but can still be scratched in hard use . Provides a black blade , smooth slippery surface , and might help some to prevent scratches . Not really a rust proofing , but might help hold anticorrosives . May simplify maintenance .

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Thank you, DocJD. To be more specific: fixed blade, black DLC coated, blade size range: 4 to 7", uses: survival + wood processing, price 200 bucks around, drop point preferred (not a must). And you are right: recommendations is what I'm looking for.
 
Charlie Martinez said:
Thank you, DocJD. To be more specific: fixed blade, black DLC coated, blade size range: 4 to 7", uses: survival + wood processing, price 200 bucks around, drop point preferred (not a must). And you are right: recommendations is what I'm looking for.
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My pictured Cold Steel Warcraft is about 7.25 to 7.5" . CPM 3V steel (very tough steel , great for survival / hard use ) , DLC coating .

Even that is kinda short for a chopper,IMO . Not everyone likes the Americanized Tanto .
 
Thank you, DocJD. As per the specs looks as very hard to beat. Also the price range fits.
Have also found a "big bro" of this one in BladeHQ: 12 inches... Way too long I believe...
Looks as Cold Steel has many models on DLC...
Appreciate your suggestion Sir. Definitively interested.
 
Charlie Martinez said:
Thank you, DocJD. As per the specs looks as very hard to beat. Also the price range fits.
Have also found a "big bro" of this one in BladeHQ: 12 inches... Way too long I believe...
Looks as Cold Steel has many models on DLC...
Appreciate your suggestion Sir. Definitively interested.
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It's a lot of knife for the money .

For a survival knife , you primarily need strength and integrity overall in the design ,materials and build .

You might need to pry , baton , or try to cut / bash through stuff normally considered abusive for any knife .

I wouldn't get too hung up on the coating .

One of the best value survival type knives , IMO, is the Cold Steel Survivalist, made with one integral slab of 52100 ballbearing steel , drop forged .

The coating is far inferior to DLC , but so what ? You get a extremely strong and versatile survival knife for under $60 ! Hard to beat that .

 
If you can track one down, the ZT0180 is 4 and a smidgen inches, tough as nails, and comes with one of the nicest DLC applied finishes I have seen. They have been discontinued for a few years, but you may find one kicking around yet in your price range.

The reason I don't pack mine? It's a heavy cuss. Thick stock, thick grips, and made to hold up to a nuclear blast. However, as I've matured (some would say older;)), I find that I can do more with less and don't need my knife to be so over built.

Still, I would feel very well served if dropped in the middle of nowhere with the 180...just be sure to bring your diamond hone ;)
 
Steely_Gunz said:
If you can track one down, the ZT0180 is 4 and a smidgen inches, tough as nails, and comes with one of the nicest DLC applied finishes I have seen. They have been discontinued for a few years, but you may find one kicking around yet in your price range.

The reason I don't pack mine? It's a heavy cuss. Thick stock, thick grips, and made to hold up to a nuclear blast. However, as I've matured (some would say older;)), I find that I can do more with less and don't need my knife to be so over built.

Still, I would feel very well served if dropped in the middle of nowhere with the 180...just be sure to bring your diamond hone ;)
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Nice ! :cool:

From back when ZT was still serious , I'd guess ? :confused:
 
Great 4.5 " = Cold Steel Master Hunter in CPM 3V .

Early ones , discontinued now , were DLC ...but uncoated currently .
 
Falkniven says it's black blades have a rating of HRC-83.
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I've been very happy with the DLC coating on my American Lawman from Cold Steel. I've put this knife through A TON of serious work, and the DLC coating has held up really well. The American Lawman is not a fixed blade survival knife, but just wanted to mention that Cold Steel's DLC coating seems to be very good from my experience.
 
DocJD said:
It's a lot of knife for the money .

For a survival knife , you primarily need strength and integrity overall in the design ,materials and build .

You might need to pry , baton , or try to cut / bash through stuff normally considered abusive for any knife .

I wouldn't get too hung up on the coating .

One of the best value survival type knives , IMO, is the Cold Steel Survivalist, made with one integral slab of 52100 ballbearing steel , drop forged .

The coating is far inferior to DLC , but so what ? You get a extremely strong and versatile survival knife for under $60 ! Hard to beat that .

That is very impressive indeed.
Guess this Survivalist should be somehow on the heavy side, perhaps ?
(And I'm pretty sure it can sustain a lot of punishment...)
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That is very impressive indeed.
Guess this Survivalist should be somehow on the heavy side, perhaps ?
(And I'm pretty sure it can sustain a lot of punishment...)
 
FishVolt said:
I've been very happy with the DLC coating on my American Lawman from Cold Steel. I've put this knife through A TON of serious work, and the DLC coating has held up really well. The American Lawman is not a fixed blade survival knife, but just wanted to mention that Cold Steel's DLC coating seems to be very good from my experience.
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Wow. That is pretty interesting. This means that DLC coatings are not all "the same".. So, I guess some companies master it better than others ? What the experience is here ?
 
Charlie Martinez said:
Wow. That is pretty interesting. This means that DLC coatings are not all "the same".. So, I guess some companies master it better than others ? What the experience is here ?
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you are correct, DLC's are not the same... but imho the best DLC's are based on TiN and TiCN, if you want to go down this rabbit hole read here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_nitride

down part of the way you'll see this section:
There are several commercially used variants of TiN that have been developed since 2010, such as titanium carbon nitride (TiCN), titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN or AlTiN), and titanium aluminum carbon nitride, which may be used individually or in alternating layers with TiN. These coatings offer similar or superior enhancements in corrosion resistance and hardness, and additional colors ranging from light gray to nearly black, to a dark iridescent bluish-purple depending on the exact process of application. These coatings are becoming common on sporting goods, particularly knives and handguns, where they are used for both cosmetic and functional reasons.
 
dirc said:
you are correct, DLC's are not the same... but imho the best DLC's are based on TiN and TiCN, if you want to go down this rabbit hole read here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanium_nitride

down part of the way you'll see this section:
There are several commercially used variants of TiN that have been developed since 2010, such as titanium carbon nitride (TiCN), titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN or AlTiN), and titanium aluminum carbon nitride, which may be used individually or in alternating layers with TiN. These coatings offer similar or superior enhancements in corrosion resistance and hardness, and additional colors ranging from light gray to nearly black, to a dark iridescent bluish-purple depending on the exact process of application. These coatings are becoming common on sporting goods, particularly knives and handguns, where they are used for both cosmetic and functional reasons.
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Thank you dirc. This is becoming too informative and each single contribution here is really appreciated.
As far as I see, there are plenty of options to explore.. I guess mobile steel components get benefit of some physical variables being favored by these technologies in a different way than "simple" knife blades do. And I'm almost sure knife manufacturers are also making their bets here.. Cost is always a consideration.
As far as I'm learning Cold Steel, ZT are more prone to DLC and Kershaw, Gerber to TIN ? Am I getting a wrong impression ?
Also in terms of scratch resistance (not just corrosion), is one of these options better for knife blades according to those folks having some experience ?
 
The Mora Bushcraft Black is an incredible blade and only 40 bucks.


Mora_Bushcraft_Black_nature_1__56547.1408631732.1280.1280_1024x1024.jpg
 
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