Should black blade models be tool steel?

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Jul 9, 2000
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I was looking at the 2006 catalog today, and there are a few models - most significantly the Military and Para-Military - with black blade variations.

But these blackened blades are S30V - a steel which hardly requires the protection of DLC. It occurs to me that this is kind of a wasted opportunity to have non-stainless steel variations without increasing the SKU count. Imagine if the black blade Military and Para were M4 or S3V instead of S30V.

It seems like this would add an interesting variation for everyone, it would introduce Spyderco to a new group of afis who only buy or strongly prefer non-stainless steels, and it would still satisfy the black blade market as the current variant does.

Any disadvantages? Arguments against?

It seemed to work for BM's AFCK, with satin-finished ATS-34 and BT-coated M2 variants.

Thoughts on M4, S3V, or something else in the Mil/ParaMil platforms?
 
In my (inexpert) opinion. The only plausible reason to have a coated blade is for a tool steel with corrosion problems.

Yes I think if the blade is going to be DLC coated, a tool steel would be quite appropriate.

You mentioned the Military and Paramilitary. They would be ideal models to try tool steel on. Both are already popular (meaning they are good sellers) models, and using a tool steel on them may be a good way to experiment with it, without having to completely design another model specifically for a non stainless steel.

D-2 seems to be a favorite around the forums, but any tool steel would likely satisfy(as you said) those who prefer to use tool steels.

I think it's really good idea. Just make sure something is mentioned in the warranty about corrosion. Or you may have some people who assume that just because it's DLC coated, it's rust proof.

Just my $.02

Editted to add more commentary.
 
What is your experience with corrosion and coated non-stainless blades? How much maintainence do they need, practically speaking?
 
i'm very onboard a spyderco in m4 or 3v, black coated. Paramillie and military in m4, manix and chinook 3v.
 
If it's going to be coated, it might as well be tool or carbon steel. Putting a coating on a stainless blade is a waste of time. However, I would mind seeing some uncoated tool or carbon steel blades.
 
I would love to see sandwiched hitachi shirogami or aogami steel.

I have a higonokami (traditional japanaese folder) in aogami which I can leave without a lot of maintainance, since the blade is near mirror-polished from the use of benchstones and we have a rather dry climate here.
so all you have to do under those conditions is to wipe it down (even if only on your working pants) after use and check for surface rust if you haven't used it for some time (like a few weeks or so) other than that you should coat it with a little oil if you're not going to use it.

Ookami
 
Carlos said:
What is your experience with corrosion and coated non-stainless blades? How much maintainence do they need, practically speaking?

They still need maintenance, as with any non stainless blade, but the coating takes away a lot of the work. The only issue I've ever had with a coated blade is the edge itself. Since it's not coated, it's prone to corrosion. If someone(like myself) were to put a knife away moist, thinking the coating would keep it from rusting, the edge may very well develop some rust spots(done this, to my neverending shame)

A quick sharpening usually takes it off, but the threat is still there.

Overall, a WELL coated non stainless blade should require minimal care.

Still not an expert though;)
 
Coated non-stainless blades basically need no more protection/care than regular stainless blades, IMO even less since they are coated. If you take them to a marine enviroment, anything short of H1 is going to rust, but with a coated blade you only have to worry about the edge.

I have never had any troubles, but I can only speak for D2 and M2 as regular production [coated] blades. M2 seems to have a bad rep, I never experienced anything that would verify this.
 
I would like to see a non stainless Spydie.
I wouldn't mind it to be uncoated,before a found Spyderco my favorate knife was a Case with carbon steel.I thought it looked even better after the steel got a patina to it.
 
I'm not into black blades, but you do bring up a very good point, why not experiment?
 
I have no personal experience with tool-steels, so without going in to too much detail, what are the basic advantages of tool-steel and would those advantages be realized in a 3" to 4" folder?

Thanks,
Allen.
 
I'm no expert, but as I understand it, for folders the primary advantages would be akin to using ZDP-189, but at a much lower cost, and with easy domestic availability: Thinner grinds and higher hardnesses (in the 60s) for higher performance cutting. Alternately, one could have even tougher hard-use folders.
 
The thing you have to worry about with any coating is the application temperature. Coatings are put on between room temperature and as high as 2000F. The majority of the high end stuff like titanium nitride, etc are 1000F and above. This puts the steel through another long temper. Could effect hardness, corrosion resistance of the steel, and toughness. A lot of the coatings do not effect corrosion resistance depending on the composition of the coating. To get good information on coatings some of the big names that have websites are Balzers, Multi-arc, Richter Precision, Arvin, Ion Bond, and a multitude of other companies. Fascinating stuff and worth checking out if you have time.
 
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