What's this on my blade?

S

speedfan

Joined
Sep 5, 2003
Messages
390
There's this spot on my avalanche that I couldn't clean.
http://Davidson.smugmug.com/photos/10393838-L.jpg
http://davidson.smugmug.com/photos/10393839-L.jpg
Then, when I took these pictures I thought, that doesn't look like a spot, that looks like a hole. I felt it with my fingernail and sure enough it's a divot. What in the world could etch a hole into TiNi coated S60V? The chemicals that may have gotten on this are radiator fluid, maybe engine oil, and maybe orange juice (a nice mix, I know, but the orange juice would have been before the auto chemicals). I can't think of what other chemicals would have gotten on there. You think Kershaw will replace the blade?
Richard
 
Well, i am a bit familiar with coatings, but not at all an expert.
It might not even be the chemicals that have made that damage. It is also possible that the surface of the blade was not completely cleaned before the coatingprocess. The spot looks a bit like what we have here when our silicon wafers or chips have not been properly cleaned before the deposition of the coatings.
Why not send the picture to the manufacturer? Maybe they can help you identify the spot too. Seeing what chemicals you used i would be very surprised that they would dissolve the coating.
 
Ya, but if it was not throughly cleaned, wouldn't the spots always have been there? Unless he scrubbed extra hard, or used some solvent/harsh cleaner that time.
 
Maybe you hit the blade there with something? Coatings aren't forever, they do wear and get rubbed off over time. I suppose it is possible that a hard hit to a single point could cause a small ship.

I have noticed small divets like that on the spine of one or two of my knives that I am pretty sure weren't there when I got them. Best I can figure they were caused by keys, or something else in my pocket with the knife. As for those chemicals, I don't see any way they could cause it. They are lubricants, well except for the OJ, and would be designed to be non-corrosive to metal. Otherwise your car wouldn't run for very long. :D
 
Looks a lot like the pitting and pooling that an electrical arc can cause. You haven't used it to short out a battery or to cut a hot wire, have you?
 
I haven't used it to short a battery. I don't think I used it to cut a hot wire, but it's possible. I have to think about it and see if I can remember. I'd say it's a 95% chance I didn't. As far as keys or something damaging it, I keep my knife clipped in my back pocket with nothing else in there.
Richard
 
underaged! said:
Ya, but if it was not throughly cleaned, wouldn't the spots always have been there?
Click to expand...

No, not necessarily. You need a very clean surface before the coating can be applied. If there was a contamination, the coating would just cover it and not really adhere to the surface. Cleaning or using the knife could easily then cause the coating over the 'weak' spot to detach/breakoff.
Just thinking out loud along with my experience in coatings, not saying i am right about this case here.
 
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