Durability of coated S30V?

T

tl91

Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
8
Hi all,

I have a custom Mini Grip with a black S30V blade that is due to arrive tomorrow, and I just wanted to get some comments on how easy it is to scratch the coating on these blades. This is my first knife with a black blade, so I have no idea at all. This knife is unlikely to see any hard work - I'll likely get a regular one (or maybe even the Ritter, if I can afford it XD) to EDC. Still, I think it's such a pretty knife, so I'm curious to know if I could use it for simple cutting tasks if necessary rather than just keeping it as a display piece.

Thanks in advance!
 
I've only have one coated Benchmade that sees regular use (an Adamas) since I prefer satin blades. The coating has worn down a bit on some of the edges, but it's still holding up rather well.

20140814_194012.jpg


20140814_193947.jpg
 
At least on the Buck 110 it holds up very well. I've cut a lot of stuff with Mine and it shows no marks. I don't know if they're the same coating. You can use the search feature and read as this has been discussed in the Buck forum.DM
 
The coating BM uses is reasonably durable, but if you're going to be batonning it through wood or doing any "hard use" tasks, it will wear over time. The S30V steel itself is not going to be significantly affected by such wear, and it's highly corrosion resistant even without a coating. I have highly corrosive body chemistry, but I've never had S30V or S35VN rust on me even slightly. I wouldn't worry about the wear too much and embrace the "battle-scarred" appearance that the finish will take over time. At first the wear may bother you, but it starts to look seriously cool once it accumulates. Just my $.02.
 
Thru routine use, and depending of course what you are cutting, it will show some scuffs and wear, but as mentioned, that just adds character. I'd just use it and not worry about it all.

It holds up well, but any coating will begin to mar sooner or later if you're using it. No biggee.

Here is my DPx T3 that's been used to cut about everything and while it has some lines in the finish, it has help up well now for a few years.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    42.2 KB · Views: 21
Benchmade's coating is worse than any other company's coating that I've personally seen.
 
I have a Benchmade Kulgera that I use for office carry and light cutting tasks. The coating has held up well over the last few years, but you can see wear on the edges and scuffs here and there. But then again, once you get your first scratch on a knife, it should immediately become a user. Life's too short to worry about a pristine looking blade.
 
I'd be really surprised if Benchmade's is worse than Cold Steel. I love me some CS knives, but their coating starts to come off if you look at it funny.

While it's unfortunate that most such coatings are so prone to quickly showing wear and tend to be the only finish option some manufacturers offer, the point is to provide protection, not to look good . . . unless you are a high speed, low drag smooth operator who requires the tactical advantage of a blacked-out blade. Yup. Personally, most of my knives with "nice" steel (S30V, D2, M4, etc.) were only available with a coated blade, and if I use them with any regularity (which I haven't so far) then I'd expect that coating to wear over time. Meanwhile, the TiNi coating on my cheaper EDC knives has held up extremely well, even when cutting through things like CAT5, video cable and even the nemesis of knives everywhere: zip ties.
 
I have a griptilian with a "coated" blade, or at least it used to be. I scraped it off because I prefer just bare metal on my blade. Before that, it barely showed any wear at all. Use it and don't worry about it. If you scrape it on a rock or something, it's just another battle scar.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the comments, and the pics are much appreciated! Good to know it should hold up reasonably well for some light use and that scratches in the coating won't affect the steel itself. Super happy with my new mini grip so far, so I'm gonna have a hard time not using it. I totally get that added character from battle scars, but it's always a little painful to see that first one!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top