HTM blade coating

draggat · Jul 15, 2012

How good is HTM's DLC coating? I just pulled the trigger on a Gunhammer but the only one I could find in the blade shape I wanted has the black blade. I don't mind that the blade is black, but I've been turned off by some companies coatings, namely Benchmade and Emerson... They scratch off almost instantly. I have a few of the old lone wolfs with the titanium nitride coating and it kicks butt! Also have a William Henry that uses tungsten and it's so hard that it actually wears with the blade.

So, question is, what's the coating more similar to? The cheap cerakote of Emerson and Benchmade or the titanim nitride or tungsten type coatings?

Either way, I guess I'm stuck with it.... It looks like an awesome knife though!

neuron · Jul 15, 2012

IMHO, DLC is far and away the best black blade coating out there. I've used knives with DLC coatings from HTM, Kershaw, and Spyderco, and even with significant use they show little to no wear, chipping, etc. I can't say that for the coatings used by Cold Steel, Emerson, etc., which started to wear away after just a few cuts through cardboard (Cold Steel's especially).

draggat · Jul 15, 2012

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! Thanks for your input!

TriviaMonster · Jul 16, 2012

A true DLC, like the one HTM uses is some brutally tough stuff.

Here is a link to some information about DLC from a company that uses it to coat their razors.

It would appear that traditional DLC coatings are even harder than TiN and TiCN coatings according to their charts.

draggat · Jul 16, 2012

TriviaMonster said:
A true DLC, like the one HTM uses is some brutally tough stuff.

Here is a link to some information about DLC from a company that uses it to coat their razors.

It would appear that traditional DLC coatings are even harder than TiN and TiCN coatings according to their charts.

Thanks for that link! I'm extremely happy I ordered the black blade now. I actually really like the look of black blades, but I'm skeptical of them until I find a manufacturer that uses a good coating, especially after experiencing Benchmade's and Emerson's cerakote, which is really just paint. I love Lone Wolf's TiN coatings and if HTM's DLC matches those graphs, I have to say I'm totally stoked! I don't understand why these other knife companies don't use this type of coating. Some of us are willing to pay a little extra for it.

neuron · Jul 16, 2012

draggat said:
Thanks for that link! I'm extremely happy I ordered the black blade now. I actually really like the look of black blades, but I'm skeptical of them until I find a manufacturer that uses a good coating, especially after experiencing Benchmade's and Emerson's cerakote, which is really just paint. I love Lone Wolf's TiN coatings and if HTM's DLC matches those graphs, I have to say I'm totally stoked! I don't understand why these other knife companies don't use this type of coating. Some of us are willing to pay a little extra for it.

Yeah, I wish every knife company would just use DLC for their black coating too. But it's more costly and difficult to apply than some other coatings, and for companies for which the choice to have a black blade on their knives is nothing more than a marketing ploy for the "tactical"/"mall ninja" crowd, how the coating actually performs isn't likely to be a driving consideration (e.g., Cold Steel, who have some really nice models and manufacturing quality, but skimp when it comes to blade steel and finish/coating). On the other side of the coin, I think it says a lot that companies like HTM, Spyderco, and Kershaw/ZT that are always striving to improve every facet of their products use DLC almost exclusively for their black blades.

Ray Allen · Jul 17, 2012

Hi,
For what it is worth, Rolex has even used it on some of their watches. Would not be my choice, but still says something.
Best...

draggat · Jul 21, 2012

I know a lot of guys hate black blades. Personally, sometimes I like them and sometimes I don't. I have to say, in this case, I love the black blade!!

I got the assisted version in dark earth. The color of the handle slabs is almost like a bronze color, which I think looks pretty cool. The balance is excellent. I must admit, I kind of wish I could've gotten the non assisted with the bearings, but this knife is pretty nifty just for the fact that it kicks almost as hard as a switchblade, but I can legally carry it.

I do wish the choil was a bit larger so that I could comfortably slip my finger in front of the hammer. Also, the jimping on mine is fairly aggressive. To the point that it irritates my forefinger while holding it in standard forward grip. But.... I have been playing with it quite a bit since I got it yesterday.

The handle is pretty chunky, but gives it a solid grip. Overall, I'm very happy with it. It's a great knife!

Almost forgot to mention.... This is the only assisted opener I've handled that I can close one handed and that totally adds to the cool factor!