Enquiring minds want to know. What's with the CS black coating?

[badman400]

Question for Cold Steel: Why keep using the sub par black finish? When Cold Steel has so much else going for in with the scary edges put on them, the super strong Triad lock system, the styling, etc, why keep using an inferior finish? The high quality in all those other areas make the poor black finish stand out. I know Cold Steel has to have heard the customer feedback by now. I think some would even be willing pay a little more to have a finish that would last. What gives?

I've been wanting both the Recon1 and an AK-47, but I don't want a black paint coating that I have to scratch off and refinish or that looks like crap after a few uses. While I may or may not enjoy the process of stripping/refinishing, I would like to have the option of buying these knives with a satin finish blade, or with a carbonitride or DLC black finish that will NOT come off under hard use.

Maybe this has already happened and I'm just not aware of it. If so please disregard and tell me where to find them. But if not, does Cold Steel have any plans on providing a better black coating or at least a plain satin blade choice on these two models?

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

We are always experimenting, testing and working with new materials.
We changed from Teflon to Tuff-Ex a little while ago which was a marked improvement, but we are also experimenting with other options for the future
thanks for your feedback

 

[jjoanty01]

Why does CS put coating on the blade, if they have a stonewashed finish? I have removed the coating from an American Lawman and a Recon 1 and both had a beautiful stonewashed finish. I don't understand it.

 

[badman400]

Why does CS put coating on the blade, if they have a stonewashed finish? I have removed the coating from an American Lawman and a Recon 1 and both had a beautiful stonewashed finish. I don't understand it.

+1

I'd much rather have the stonewashed finish.

And I would have one of each already, if not for the black painted stuff that scratches off.

I just don't want to have to disassemble and refinish a new knife. Heck, it would even save CS on their costs!

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

We changed several knives to stonewash over the last few years - maybe we will offer more stonewashed versions in the future

 

[badman400]

We changed several knives to stonewash over the last few years - maybe we will offer more stonewashed versions in the future

Sounds good. I think it would be a win-win for the company and the customers.

I'll probably order both knives (Recon 1 and the AK-47), when that day comes unless I can find those two with the removal work done satisfactorily before.

I may take the plunge and attempt it myself, but I hope CS accomplishes the move before I have to.

Thanks for the replies and follow-up!

 

[RevDevil]

It's not like the removal of the coating would require any significant investment of time or money on your part. All you have to do is know how operate a torx driver.

 

[badman400]

It's not like the removal of the coating would require any significant investment of time or money on your part. All you have to do is know how operate a torx driver.

I never said it would. Also I do have and know how to operate a torx driver. However, your idea of "significant" is most likely different than others'.

And then there are some who might like to have a black finish. Just one that is tough enough to stay put. As my opening post explained, there are probably some, who for one reason or another, do not want to take their knife apart and scrape off the inferior coating, or need to do that to a brand new knife.

As I plainly stated in the opening post: "While I may or may not enjoy the process of stripping/refinishing, I would like to have the option of buying these knives with a satin finish blade, or with a carbonitride or DLC black finish that will NOT come off under hard use."

I believe a lot more knife enthusiasts out there feel the same.

Thanks for your comment RD.

My question and thoughts were for CS though and were answered. But it would be cool to see what others have to say as well.

I think there are many out there who would love to see offerings of CS's great knives in Satin, and/or with a black DLC-like coating, and buy them! Any true knife enthusiast knows that variety is important, and tastes also change as well.

A forward thinking company will often listen to and respond to customer/user feedback. Those companies usually flourish.

 

[jstrange]

I love the look of their stonewashed blades and wish they offered all models with that option. Many knives fight for my dollars when I finally save enough money to make a purchase, and several times I have passed on the Recon series because of the blade finish. I don't necessarily shun black blades, just not my preference and when I do get one I avoid the thick painted on look.

 

[badman400]

Same here. I like black blades on some knives too. Just not the kind of black that scratches off so easy. If it's black, I want it to STAY black.

I'd love to have 3 of each (Recon 1 & AK-47) in Satin, stonewash, and the black DLC or similar.

I also like the look of the blackwash finish on certain knivesl.

 

[NetshadeX]

My 2 cents:

Here's the thing, without beating around the bush, a lot of Cold steel designs, revolve around a tactical/fighting philosophy of use. It's what their products probably excell at. I say probably because luckily I haven't been in a situation where I've had to find out. When you choose to put your focus on a certain philosophy of use, other areas have to give... Cold Steel's Recon 1 for instance has a very deep hollow grind, that in combination with it's AUS8 makes it a scary flesh cutting tool. AUS8 is an affordable steel with excellent qualities for fighting knives since it's relatively tough, takes a very sharp edge and is not likely to break easily. The teflon or Tuff-Ex coating further increase it's efficiency by acting as a lubricant once they come into contact with fluids. Teflon coating does better in that task than any other established form of coating. So as an edged weapon it's a well designed and amazing product.

HOWEVER...

There obviously is a "something has to give" part. As an overall utility knife it's just not as well suited imo. The fragile edge damages relatively easy and the coating wears fast when it comes in contact with harder materials. That's because the Recon 1 was most likely designed to excell at other things than say..garden work or cutting up cardboard all day.

Personally I too would like to see a horizontal expansion of Cold steel products. Like maybe offer a Recon 1 in a different steel (with or without a different coating) more suitable for utility work. An increase in price would ofcourse be expected and certainly be reasonable.

 

[badman400]

My 2 cents:

Here's the thing, without beating around the bush, a lot of Cold steel designs, revolve around a tactical/fighting philosophy of use. It's what their products probably excell at. I say probably because luckily I haven't been in a situation where I've had to find out. When you choose to put your focus on a certain philosophy of use, other areas have to give... Cold Steel's Recon 1 for instance has a very deep hollow grind, that in combination with it's AUS8 makes it a scary flesh cutting tool. AUS8 is an affordable steel with excellent qualities for fighting knives since it's relatively tough, takes a very sharp edge and is not likely to break easily. The teflon or Tuff-Ex coating further increase it's efficiency by acting as a lubricant once they come into contact with fluids. Teflon coating does better in that task than any other established form of coating. So as an edged weapon it's a well designed and amazing product.

HOWEVER...

There obviously is a "something has to give" part. As an overall utility knife it's just not as well suited imo. The fragile edge damages relatively easy and the coating wears fast when it comes in contact with harder materials. That's because the Recon 1 was most likely designed to excell at other things than say..garden work or cutting up cardboard all day.

Personally I too would like to see a horizontal expansion of Cold steel products. Like maybe offer a Recon 1 in a different steel (with or without a different coating) more suitable for utility work. An increase in price would ofcourse be expected and certainly be reasonable.

Great comment! Thought provoking and reasonable. Thanks for weighing in on the coating subject.

Of course you're correct. If they add tougher coatings and/or better steels, price increases will have to accompany those upgrades.

And there are of course, some who would still rather have the base series at the present price point.

I'll admit, the "lubricity" and how it would affect the tactical properties of the blade during piercing or cutting, is something I hadn't considered.

However, I do believe there is a whole uptapped market out there for CS products that use stronger steels and finishes.