No, it's not a particularly pervasive thing, but after seeing someone actually parrot Skelton's ignorant nonsense about DLC coatings (and after reading advice from someone wiser than myself) I figured why not start this thread.
While my background in material science is limited (but not nonexistent), I know enough to make the distinction between Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), and Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC).
Physical Vapor Deposition describes a process, by which material is deposited onto another. The initialism only describes the process, not the coating material itself.
Diamond-Like Carbon describes a type of coating material, which itself may vary. It can be applied to a surface by way of a PVD process.
Here's a thread I saw on this a long time ago, actually on CPF:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=314537
It's surprising how much people will take at face value from a YouTube personality without even do much as looking at Wikipedia. Trying to start conspiracy theories in an attempt to look 'in the know' doesn't really help anyone.
If I've gotten something completely wrong or I'm way off base here, please feel free to say so, so I could modify the distinctions and not be under the wrong impressions.
I'm not bothered by folks who choose to debate a subject. I am however bothered when those folks choose to talk down to me as if they're somehow superior and actually call names like an 8th grade child. Allow me to explain my "ignorant nonsense"....
Yes, I was talking for about 20 minutes, and perhaps didn't clarify every point and use definitive terms that everyone would wholly grasp. My bad on that. Let me say it here as clearly as I can:
The supposed DLC coatings most manufacturers claim on their knives is not in fact true DLC as in Diamond Like Carbon coatings (applied in whatever manner). It is a lesser quality material that is far more easily scratched and marred applied using PVD process. It is not DLC but something else that is inferior (regardless of how it is applied, it is not DLC).
There is a vast difference in cost.
I apologize that I draw from my watch experience, and that causes confusion. In the watch world you coat surfaces in either IP (Ionic Plating), PVD or DLC. IP is the most common, least expensive and not the most durable. PVD is a step up in price and durability. DLC is the top of the line providing near ceramic like scratch resistance. SO I simply categorized the knife coatings as simply as this. My apologies for not being more detailed.
As i stated in my response on the video comments section: Some of y'all are way too anal. It's a general discussion. If someone says "Wow, the moon light is so gorgeous tonight", you're the kind that just has to tell them that the moon doesn't radiate light, but simply reflects light from the sun, so therefore, the reflected sunlight off the moon is gorgeous tonight. And PVD is the lowest rate of success and quality DLC is not applied that way. IBD and PACVD are the optimal ways of applying DLC.
So let me be clear... I am not ignorant on the subject, I simply chose my words poorly and didn't realize I had to be so unbelievably specific.
Regardless of application process used, DLC is the most wear and scratch resistant, so people want to buy anything in DLC. Knife brand marketing appeals to this and calls a clearly inferior coating "DLC" knowing that it is not. After speaking with a couple of makers, there is a true DLC that is very scratch and wear resistant, but it is very expensive and simply not able to be used on budget oriented knives. I was not calling KAI out specifically on this, I very clearly stated that this is widespread across the industry.
You know, I like Jim. He has a spotted past in the watch world and has lets say a reputation. I think he is a good speaker, has a good TV voice and he has does semi professional Youttube videos that I find interesting and entertaining. With that said I really wish he would fact check before saying certain things. In nearly any one of his videos he makes a statement that is 100% false. Many times it is hit your head on a brick wall wrong and you really want to say something. And I have tried but he seems to get defensive and starts removing subscribers. At first I dismissed some of his errors as innocent missteps but he has one of these in almost every video. Then you have his subscribers refeeding it to us and it gets tedious. I think what bothers me more than these mistakes is what I believe to be favoritism among what he collects. I have seen some of his videos where is is very critical of someones work for things I honestly cant verify even in his HD videos yet some makers seem to be able to do no wrong on knives that I can with out a doubt tell are flawed in his video.
I hate to come up with a conspiracy theory of my own but I honestly wonder if he trades good reviews for free merch. Because when i see him ranting and raving about a knife that has a blade tip peaking, poorly fit and sculpted scales and a very uneven grind as the one of the best knives he has ever handled I question the persons competence in being able to judge true quality and or their honesty. Either way I think he could have a successful venture in the knife game if he would stop pandering to his favorite makers and make sure he has his facts straight before he recklessly starts spreading miss information. Its one thing to be wrong and admit it but its a whole other scenario to habitually wrong because you dont feel you have anything left to learn. I think people in the public eye have an even greater responsibility to cross their T's and dot the I's.
Before more people start believing rumored BS, allow me to clarify for you right here.
The one person who chose to spread lies about me for over 5 years finally recanted his stories on his own website proving nothing that was said about me was true. Better late than never I suppose. It spread like a virus for years, and is now finally over.
So please don't try to use a crutch of lies in an attempt to discredit me.
How precisely would I be getting free stuff? My overviews are on my own knives that I buy myself (many of which members here know I have bought off the forums), and Guest Blades episodes are knives sent in by people who own the knives.
And it wouldn't matter either way honestly. I give pros and cons to every knife I have put under my lens. If KAI had approached me and sent me a free ZT, that'd be swell... but the same statements would have been made in that case as well.
I allow people to comment however they wish. I have banned exactly 3 people from my YT channel, and only for being belligerent to my subscribers.
That all being said, I'm no expert, never claimed to be. As a matter of fact I have repeatedly stated this on several videos. I'm a collector and enthusiast who is growing and learning as I go along, enjoying it for what it is.
I hope this helps.
