What's the black coating that Tops puts on thier blades?

TOPS doesn not say what the coating it made from but yes, it will prevent corrosion. The edge, however, can still corrode so make sure it's clean (no food acids, etc) and dry before putting it away.

If you are still curious about the composition of the coating, you could send an enquiry to TOPS at www.topsknives.com.

Regards
 
I took Bladeprince's advice. Here is the response to my email that i got from Tops.
Dear Mr. Flashpoint,

Thank you for your inquiry. The coating we use on our knives is a
Black
traction powder coating. It protects Carbon Steel from corrosion, but
the
exposed steel on the cutting edge would need to be wiped with oil after
each
use.

With thanks,

TOPS KNIVES
Click to expand...

Not exactly what I was looking for. I wonder if "Black Traction Powder" coating may go by a different name under some different manufacturers.

Just me being curious. :D
 
Flashpoint said:
I took Bladeprince's advice. Here is the response to my email that i got from Tops.

Not exactly what I was looking for. I wonder if "Black Traction Powder" coating may go by a different name under some different manufacturers.

Just me being curious. :D
Click to expand...

You are reading the breaks wrong. It is Black traction powder-coating.

Here is an explanation that should help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
EDIT: srry, they use a powder coat as stated above.

There is a thread in the makers forums on the removal of the coating if you are interested. I'd call it spray on sanding so we dont have to finish our blades out all the way. I understand why it is of use on carbon tactical knives but from my understanding any surfacing or texture on carbon is supposed to make a blade more prone to corrosion instead of less due to more surface area and water sitting in the pits. I like DuraCoat if you are looking for such a finish but I would apply it to a smooth surface. I dont know about gunkote or the others but one great thing about DuraCoat is that you can spray it on anything and it looks the same. You can do every surface of a knife or firearm including rubber, wood and plastics and it will work and look great on them all. Makes for some cool camo jobs.
 
^^ im confused at some of the parts of your post, the coating is powdercoating which can be applied to any clean metal surface that conducts electricity. it gets sprayed on and sticks through static, then baked on. its basicaly plastic, it prevents any corosion as long as it was done properly

-matt
 
Oops, my bad, I didnt realise TOPS was a powder coat. I was on my way out the door and didnt get to read the whole thread. I thought that the tops coating was more like Wilsons use of Gunkote. Powdercoat or not though I think leaving the blade rough before applying it is lazy. Coating do wear off and if you have rough surface carbon steel its gona rust easy. Ignore my comments about DuraCoat, Again I had ythe worng type of finish in mind. :D As people have already stated the cutting edge or anywherew the coating has worn away will need ot eb treated like normal carbon steel.
 
^^ ya a rough finnish under it is pretty lazy espicaly if you are going to leave only a thin powder coat on it.

hmm that makes me think, is it realistic to plate blades at all? i could see it being good and bad but i am not sure if the bad out weigh the good

-matt
 
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