Kershaw Blackwash Knives

I hadn't encountered this finish before this thread, I'd alsways though blackwashing was just another term for stonewashing. Thanks for the info and the great pics :)
 
DLC stonewashed ;)

I can assure you the knife from china does not have the same finish on it as the USA blades have on them...not even close

The kershaw website lists it as black oxide black wash....it's probably spray paint...for 50 bucks, made in china I wouldn't expect much more
 
I can assure you the knife from china does not have the same finish on it as the USA blades have on them...not even close

The kershaw website lists it as black oxide black wash....it's probably spray paint...for 50 bucks, made in china I wouldn't expect much more

Black oxide is created by chemical conversion of iron molecules in the steel to magnetite. If the finish was actually paint, this would be a blatant case of false advertising.

As I noted in my last post, all blackwash Kershaws, US-made or otherwise, only have black oxide finishes. Only ZT blackwashes use DLC.
 
Black oxide is created by chemical conversion of iron molecules in the steel to magnetite. If the finish was actually paint, this would be a blatant case of false advertising.

As I noted in my last post, all blackwash Kershaws, US-made or otherwise, only have black oxide finishes. Only ZT blackwashes use DLC.

Thank you for the clarification, Hiro-kun.

And vinnie, well, now you know. And knowing is half the battle.
 
The Kershaw tumbled black oxide finish is awesome. I have it on my two Cryos - looks terrific and appears to be very durable.

But the tumbled DLC on that ZT blade is like freaking artwork. That thing is drop-dead gorgeous.
 
There are websites that lists the Chinese Kershaws as DLC coated, but it seems only the US made are, China is black oxide.
Thanks for the clarification ;)
 
There are websites that lists the Chinese Kershaws as DLC coated, but it seems only the US made are, China is black oxide.
Thanks for the clarification ;)

No, as I cited above, the Leek Blackwash, a US-made Kershaw, is black oxide finished. Unless there is some new Kershaw I haven't heard of yet, none use DLC. Only Zero Tolerance Blackwashes use DLC.
 
The black (not blackwashed) cryo is touted to be DLC coated. I had one for one day and can tell you that there is nothing diamond-like about it. Sent it back.
 
The black (not blackwashed) cryo is touted to be DLC coated.

Got a cite for this? I just checked several online dealers' descriptions of the black Cryo and they either don't state the type of finish or say it is black titanium carbonitride, just like the original grey Cryo.
 
My beautiful Blackwash 0801. All thanks to Thomas from Minuteman
KLSouaT.jpg

YSNxqPB.jpg
 
There's a monkey site that advertises them as DLC blackwash.

Also this thread seems to show the Leek as DLC blackwash : http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-First-Looks-Kershaw-Blackwash-Linup-for-2014

I am confused now :rolleyes:

I compared the MSRPs for the Leek Black, which is advertised by Kershaw as having a DLC finish, and the Leek Blackwash, which is listed as having a "black-oxide" finish. They both have the same price, so it is not inconceivable that the Blackwash Leek is actually DLC. An e-mail to Kershaw should settle the matter.
 
Got a cite for this? I just checked several online dealers' descriptions of the black Cryo and they either don't state the type of finish or say it is black titanium carbonitride, just like the original grey Cryo.

Amazon for one. I saw it elsewhere too but don't recall where. Before I bought it I tried to verify at the Kershaw website but they don't even list this particular variant there - only the blackwash ones...take it from me the Chinese blackwash ones are way nicer than the Chinese black ones.
 
Last edited:
I compared the MSRPs for the Leek Black, which is advertised by Kershaw as having a DLC finish, and the Leek Blackwash, which is listed as having a "black-oxide" finish. They both have the same price, so it is not inconceivable that the Blackwash Leek is actually DLC. An e-mail to Kershaw should settle the matter.

I have the Shallot Black with damascus blade (1840CKTDAM). It is freaking sick. The DLC coating on these are the real deal, and nothing like the blackwash black oxide finish (which I find to be excellent also), or the chinese "black" finish (which I think is terrible).

There is some thickness to the DLC coating, it has a sort of grippy texture...kind of like 1000 grit sandpaper or so. I love it.
 
Last edited:
I have the BW Thermite, it think it looks great. The BW gives it an aged, well used kind of look, even if it's not. Also, it won't show marks as easily as a regular black coating like DLC or Teflon since they (marks) will blend into the inconsistent finish instead of standing out.
True DLC coatings are harder and tougher than any steel. Whatever marks you see are the result of the material you are cutting being left on the surface of the blade. Teflon like coatings used on other knives is a very different material all together.


I had grave disappointment yesterday when an order of 2 Kershaw Black Wash Knives, starter & lifter, arrived to me. I have never seen such a bad sharpening job on two knives that were new in the box. Neither one of the knives had a decent edge on it, which surprised me since I own quite a few Kershaw knives. I really think they had a monkey do the sharpening job of these two.

So then sharpen your knives or return them if you aren't happy. Merely complaining about it does what for you exactly?
 
I ordered a thermite black wash for my monthly low budget knife buy. Don't put down the china kershaws. They are cheaper materials, especially the steel, but they have great fit finish and sharpness at their price point.
 
I really need more pics of this badboy.
Maybe when winter rolls around and I'm wearing pants more, I'll carry it more.

IMG_20140502_205351765_HDR_zpskihwl2ty.jpg
 
Back
Top