Should black blade models be tool steel?

Hi,

Any of you ever think about being a ground pounder sent out on a nice full moon night. Would you rather have nice reflective stainless or a flat-black coating on your stainless knife?

Perhaps this is why Sal responded on the the Government requirement for Black Byrds (CaraCara & Meadowlark).

Cheers - Joe
 
I was a ground-pounder, and I've been out on many full-moon nights. A bead-blasted finish, or satin finish works just about as well as a black blade. If you're close enough to someone for them to see the reflection off a 3-4 inch blade, you're too close anyway. That black blade does two things outside of corrosion protection: compensates for a lack of situational awareness, and makes people feel "totally S.W.A.T.".
 
Carlos said:
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.
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When you put it like that, I'd be pretty excited for it, even though I'd still have to care for the edge...nothing wrong with a little maint. :thumbup:
 
I'd like to see a tool steel model, but my problem is with the black coating. It looks too tactical for my taste-does the DLC have to be black, or is it possible to make it a different colour? Maybe even white???
 
I think that by it's nature, DLC is inclined be black, the same way that HA-III has a distinct look. I think the technology for clear DLC exists (gov. patent), but that it isn't commercially available yet.
 
Carlos said:
I think the technology for clear DLC exists (gov. patent), but that it isn't commercially available yet.
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Now that would be something that I could go for. Corrosion protection for the blade, without the tactical appearance.

Maybe in 20 years;)
 
warden41272 said:
I was a ground-pounder, and I've been out on many full-moon nights. A bead-blasted finish, or satin finish works just about as well as a black blade. If you're close enough to someone for them to see the reflection off a 3-4 inch blade, you're too close anyway. That black blade does two things outside of corrosion protection: compensates for a lack of situational awareness, and makes people feel "totally S.W.A.T.".
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A prior 11B myself, I totally agree. Also, in low-light conditions, a satin finish will help ensure you slice open your MRE, and not your thumb!:thumbup:
 
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