Galvanize or Powder Coat?

C

CyberDog

Joined
Jul 4, 2018
Messages
40
Hey,

I have a simple question. Is frame-lock on my knife painted by galvanizing or powder coating? Or is it something else? It is made from steel.
I want to repaint it because I scratched it.
Here's my knife (Kershaw Knockout):
Thanks in advance!

PgCBGMP.jpg
 
Galvanizing is a zinc coating. I would think the piece is Cerakoted if it's steel.
 
Thanks for information.
I also sent message to Kershaw, I hope they reply.
My local shop can make different coatings for galvanizing - Nickel, Matte Chrome, Copper and others.
 
CyberDog said:
Thanks for information.
I also sent message to Kershaw, I hope they reply.
My local shop can make different coatings for galvanizing - Nickel, Matte Chrome, Copper and others.
Click to expand...
Galvanizing is only a zinc coating, which is not terribly durable, look at galvanized nails. You are describing general plating, which can be a similar process to electro-galvanizing. Matte chrome would be very durable, and nickel plating could be.
 
Information from this shop says matte chrome layer goes over thick layer of nickel and that it is durable and doesn't scratch easily. I think this could work!
I would/will need to talk to this shop about the thickness, I wouldn't want this piece being much thicker than it already is.
 
Make sure you get a quote if you decide to galvanize or plate. I have a buddy in the aircraft industry that owned a shop that did coatings like Ceracote, one of their competitors, and did galvanizing and plating.

Due to the amount of prep time involved, and for all the government regulations for a proper plating and galvanizing operation, you might be better to spend another $100 (if Damascus) or a new one and keep your old one as a beater. His work was EXPENSIVE.

Robert
 
I will definitely get a quote before, yes!

is hydrogen embrittlement some kind of coating? I googled it and it sounds complicated. I also need to find word for this concept in my mother language..
 
CyberDog said:
I will definitely get a quote before, yes!

is hydrogen embrittlement some kind of coating? I googled it and it sounds complicated. I also need to find word for this concept in my mother language..
Click to expand...

Hi
Hydrogen is the smallest atom.
Electroplating hardened steel causes Hydrogen to migrate inside, weakening your knife.
This temporary defect is called Hydrogen Embrittlement.
For this reason , knife has to be baked after electroplating to remove added hydrogen,
to restore strength removed by introducing Hydrogen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardened_steel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_embrittlement
http://www.heat-treat-doctor.com/documents/Hydrogen Embrittlement.pdf
 
Great information, thanks!
So Kershaw replied, it is indeed Cerakote. I see that painted part is put in oven, so I guess Hydrogen embrittlement shouldn't be an issue. And if I don't find someone with Cerakote here, I may consider that nickel coating, depending on price.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Painting does not cause hydrogen embrittlement.
Click to expand...
I looked it up (I had no idea what it was) and got this :
Cerakote is, simply put, a ceramic and polymer coating
Click to expand...
Is that what you meant ? Cerakote is paint ?
So it's paint with dirt in it ? Sorry . . . paint with ceramic in it ?
I suppose that is all paint is anyway; good paint pigment is minerals . . .
 
Cerakote is paint. It's a sprayed on coating. Paint with ceramic.
 
Was it a super special, limited edition safe queen that got dropped on the floor? Kershaw Knockouts aren’t all that rare or collectible that I know of.

Use any knife and it will get scratched. My solution is to add more scratches for character. Life’s too short. Enjoy your knife, and use your sh!t. :thumbsup:
 
It's my edc, m390 knockout. I damaged frame lock surface when I was drilling detent hole in blade. Then I tried coating it in epoxy and it looks even worse now.
 
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