What is the absolute toughest blade coating?

[qcoder]

I have some DLC Spydercos that are amazingly durable (but they CAN and WILL wear/scratch), and I have some other knives that are simply powder coated. I like both (DLC and powder), but the powder coat is something I can get re-finished for very little locally when it gets scratched (if I care about it enough to get it re-finished). Perhaps the concept of local refinishing is attractive?

What amount of wear / scratching should be expected under normal everyday use (cutting through paper, cardboard, plastic etc) ? Are we talking months, year(s) of daily use before significant wear or scratches are noticed?

I'm considering getting a DLC coated paramilitary 2. I really like the looks of the DLC coating but I would hate to end up with scratches and wear marks within a few months of using it....like I've seen on some other cheaper coatings.

 

[dark impaler]

If you like matte black...DLC.

 

[MikeyD]

the digi-cam finish on my smf is damn tuff. really damn tuff

 

[Keyman]

My experience tells me it's Stone washed DLC

 

[Shotgun]

I don't know what Busse uses but it's the most durable coating I've ever experienced.

If it's the same thing they use on the Swamp Rat's then you're not playing with enough knives. Their coating was the least durable coating I've ever owned.

 

[gomipile]

I've had good experiences with Kershaw's tungsten DLC coating. Sometimes I thought it was wearing or scratching, only to find that some fairly hard materials had scratched off onto it, as if it was a chalkboard.

 

[PitbullShogun]

I think that TDLC is Tungsten carbide (about 72 HRC). Titanium Aluminum nitride TiAlN runs about 92 HRC. Titanium nitride TiN runs about 82 HRC. Cubic Boron nitride CBN is also very hard. Titanium Carbonitride TiCN runs about 86 HRC. They're all pretty decent.

damn. what knives do they make with titanium aluminum nitride coatings? that sounds hella tough.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

The DLC on my M.O.D. Knives/ZT & Kershaw knives/Surefire Alpha is among the toughest coatings I have dealt with. They take all kinds of abuse that normally scratch the hell out of my other black blades, and show no signs of wearing off. KG Gun Kote is also a cost effective alternative and is easy to re coat if necessary. Black Zinc (BM uses this) is absolutely terrible, second only to a powder coat finish. Black Oxide holds up well depending on how you use it and if you keep it lubricated. If you're really ambitious there is always ceramic coating. I have had good luck with it, but not really abused it to see where its threshold of durability is. (All in all I would have to give my vote for blk dlc)