TiCN Blade Coating

luke86

luke86

Joined
Mar 29, 2015
Messages
828
Hey guys. I was getting ready to pull the trigger on a Pacific Salt. I can't decide whether to get the coated or uncoated blade. I have no experience with TiCN coating. How well does it hold up over time? Does is rub off like some other coatings. I am fine with a plain blade but the coating looks good if it will actually stay on. Thanks for any help guys.
 
I have the coated one, carrying it on and off for a couple of months. No wear to speak of yet.

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After reading a few posts about it being a pocket chainsaw, I had to try it. I break down a lot of cardboard and it still has no problem. Yeah I like it. Fse all the way. I have not tried h1 in pe so I can't speak to that.

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My SE Pac Salt all black shows some wear, it actually came with two faint lines in the coating when it was new. The coating isn't bad, but it's not as good as DLC, which is really without equal. The US made models use DLC, which is basically indestructible. Usually things that will damage DLC will damage the knife in general, like extremely corrosive chemicals.
 
The HRC (hardness Rockwell C scale) of DLC is about 72. The HRC of TiCN is in the high 80's which is harder than TiN at 82 but softer than TiAlN at 92.
 
tiguy7 said:
The HRC (hardness Rockwell C scale) of DLC is about 72. The HRC of TiCN is in the high 80's which is harder than TiN at 82 but softer than TiAlN at 92.
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Thanks for the info but how does that translate to how well it will hold up?
 
When coating tooling like drill bits and milling cutters, the friction of coatings is taken into account. When used on knives, the coating friction isn't too critical because the work is soft and the cutting speed is low. Since most of these coatings are very thin, the most important factor in reducing friction is the polish on the blade. Smooth blade = smooth cut. Some of the thicker coatings like paint or Teflon can have a rougher surface texture due to the make up of the material (like high gloss or flat paint). Generally speaking, harder coatings last longer. Also the Rockwell C scale is not linear. A small increase in the Rockwell number means a large increase in hardness.
 
The TiCN coating in my Aqua Salt (+1 years of use) has held up extremely well, with minor wear (see pics)

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I actually dig the coating and makes it sexy looking, although much harder to see and spot in the dark,, that's true and can even be an inconvenience sometimes

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The coating will wear and show scratches, much easier than DLC IME. On the other hand satin H1 also shows wear. Basically if you use it expect wear to show.
 
craytab said:
The coating will wear and show scratches, much easier than DLC IME. On the other hand satin H1 also shows wear. Basically if you use it expect wear to show.
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I'm wondering which one will show less wear. I'm wondering if the coating will show less wear because it is harder than the steel but I'm not sure.
 
luke86 said:
I'm wondering which one will show less wear. I'm wondering if the coating will show less wear because it is harder than the steel but I'm not sure.
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I'm not sure of the HRC numbers above as they relate to what spyderco has on their H1. Spyderco DLC does much better than what is on their H1. Just from going in and out of the sheath my Aqua salts show wear. My coated Pacific Salt shows wear from light use. The satin version shows wear as well. Seriously, if you are going to use the knife it will show wear either way. Just depends on if it will be in black coating coming off or slight scratches in a soft satin finish. I wouldn't worry about it too much and get which ever one you like the looks of better knowing it won't stay that way if you use it.
 
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