Get the Mini-Skirmish with black-coated blade or plain?

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ShooterMcgavin

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Jan 20, 2008
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609
I have been looking at the Benchmade Mini-Skirmish for a while now and I think I am about to buy. I'm sure it's not as good as other Ti-handled folders out there, but I think it represents a good value. Which blade finish should I get? This will be a plain-edge version for EDC.

I really like the looks of the black-coated blade. Also, I think it is neat because it just looks different. But, how long will the black coating stay "nice"? I am not tough on the knives I carry, since they are not required for my type of work. Besides the few scratches which will certainly appear after a year of use, will the black coating become dull and worn by standard things like cutting carboard or wood?

OR, should I just get the knife with a plain finish and know that it will still look very classy in a couple years, even with some minor scratching? I only have one other black-coated knife (which is not for general use), so I don't know what to expect. Thoughts?
 
I have the non coated version and I think it is a decent value for what you get. It is a big knife though.
 
I say get the plain finish, I think blades look like crap when the black finish starts to wear off, but that's just me.
 
The BC1 finish that the 635 uses is a very durable coating. This is not the softer black coating that BM used a few years ago, although that coating is still found on certain knives. This is a Boron Carbide coating and is something like the DLC coatings you see on other knives. In other words, it ain't gonna scratch like the earlier coatings did!
 
I went with the uncoated on my 630 after giving the same consideration as you.

I'm not sure how hard BM's coatings are but many high quality Ti and tungsten based coatings are harder than the steel. Some as high a 70-80 Rockwell I hear and if true that should not pose a problem with finish marring I would think. I still chose the uncoated blade anyway:

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I always prefer the uncoated - any coating on the blade increases friction between the blade and what it's cutting. Nothing good about that! Give me a plain satin finished blade every time! :thumbup:
 
I think I am starting to come around. I might end up getting the plain blade, even though I am oddly drawn to the black one.

Grampa - some coatings involve Teflon. Do those increase friction as well? That's a real question - I'm not trying to be a jerk :)
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
I think I am starting to come around. I might end up getting the plain blade, even though I am oddly drawn to the black one.

Grampa - some coatings involve Teflon. Do those increase friction as well? That's a real question - I'm not trying to be a jerk :)
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I don't mean to speak for Grampa but I would suspect if the coating has teflon in it it won't hold up to hard use without showing the wear and scraping off. Just my estimation.
 
The Boron Carbide coating used in many current BM blades actually reduces friction and it is very hard. It is also used to coat industrial cutting tools used to cut titanium and soft or mildly hard steels. That being said, it will scratch over time, depending on what is being cut. If you use it primarily in the kitchen, it will hold up extremely well. If you are cutting cardboard, it will scratch; cardboard, especially if partially recycled is very abrasive.

I prefer non-coated blades, especially if they are stainless. I am not worried about them being non reflective and if S.S., obviously corrosion isn't an issue. If the knife could be exposed to salt water, I would get coated.
 
I vote for the plain version. The coating on my buddy's Mini Skirmish doesn't look so great after a year of use, but mine is still pretty perfect (after longer than 18 months).
 
Some good answers to your question from others, McGavin, who probably know more about current top-shelf coatings than I!

I haven't tried teflon or Boron whatever - I got so turned off by earlier( cheaper?) coatings, I've not bought any coated blade for years. It's just an automatic turn-off now.

I also think teflon would be too soft for permanence, if my kitchen pans are any indication! :D

Sooner or later, the coating will get scratched. If you are at all concerned about the look of your blade, you can polish out a scratch on bare metal, but what are you going to do with a scratch in a coating? Color it in with a Sharpie????:D
 
As far as practicality, I vote for the plain version too.

But the coated one looks so nice... this is a ltd. edition mini I bought last year

NATSKIRM2.jpg
 
Thanks for all the good input. I think I have decided on the plain blade ...IF I end up getting the Mini-Skirmish.

I read a good review of the Zero Tolerance ZT 0300 last night, and I am very interested. I need to do some more reading on that one. It seems to be unclear what is the actual blade length - 4.25" or 3.75". Even if it is 3.75", it seems a little big for EDC and it sure is heavy :( I'd love it in 3.5". Damn, that 0.25" makes a difference.
 
If I had the choice between the two,I'd go with the coated.I like the way it contrasts with the gray Ti handle.Plus it's one of the best coatings available of any manufacturer IMO.
 
JPD1998, I forgot to say - that's a great looking knife! I love the limited edition Skirmishs.

Get the BIG Skirmish you girlieman.
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I think it's too big for my little muscles ;)

...Plus it's one of the best coatings available of any manufacturer IMO.
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Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. It's a tough decision, but I agree with those who say that it WILL scratch with a decent amount of use. Sure, the coating will still be effective at what it does - but I don't want to hesitate to put my knife to whatever use I need it for, for fear of scratching my blade. <- Now that sounds like a girlieman :)
 
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I don't understand why stainless steel like S30V needs a coating.......go plain is what I tend to do.
 
ShooterMcgavin said:
JPD1998, I forgot to say - that's a great looking knife! I love the limited edition Skirmishs.


I think it's a little to big for my little muscles ;)


Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. It's a tough decision, but I agree with those who say that it WILL scratch with a decent amount of use. Sure, the coating will still be effective at what it does - but I don't want to hesitate to put my knife to whatever use I need it for, for fear of scratching my blade. <- Now that sounds like a girlieman :)
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Thanks for the compliment... I think you'll be happier with the uncoated blade , I bought my knife because it was a good deal ( too good to pass up):)
 
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