Which griptilian steel holds the black finish better?

B

Burwick

Joined
Sep 28, 2010
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Going to do the custom grip thing. Is there any steel that holds the black finish on better? Or is that something that I shouldn't worry about. Short from 154CM is D2, N680, S30V worth the extra cost? Whatcha think? Thanks!
 
It will depend more on how the blade is finished before coating than the steel.
 
Like an etch primer, or how it is prepped to hold the coating. I guess it could vary depending on who actually prepped the knife. I've seen black coated benchmades with the coating pretty worn off. Then again i've seen some benchmades that have been around the block but the coating looks really good. Could be as simple as what you use your knife on, in a daily setting I guess.
 
they've also used various coatings through the years with differing levels of durability. the old BT coating would scratch under running water (not really)
 
The alloy won't make a difference. The finish will scratch over time, no matter what the steel. I see no benefit in coating stainless steel, anyways.

Of the alloys you mentioned, there isn't a poor performer among them, though I'm particularly partial to N690.
 
Personally I would get the Ritter Grip version because I like the blade profile better and S30V is pretty decent.
 
I don't know if BM offers different types of black finish's but I think the most durable is the DLC coating they offer on the Grip Gold series. I think the older Grips had a TiNi finish that was'nt as durable.
 
I have 2 of the Ritters in M4 & the finish is awesome:thumbup:. I EDC these 2 for 12 months now and have had no visible scratches yet. This is the same DLC finish that the gold series grips got. This is unlike any black finish I have seen it's almost iridescent.
I also have 2 of the older M2 Ritters and a little of the finish around the tip has warn off both of them. They started to show wear pretty quickly.
 
Yeah I'd love to get a Ritter M4. See them for sell every once in awhile at a descent price on here. Been tossing that idea around too. I was thinking of getting a custom blacked out grip from benchmade. Want the blacked out axis and black liners. :thumbup:
 
If you can afford it, the M4 or M2 steel on the Ritters is really outstanding. They get much sharper and stay that way a lot longer than any other steel that I've used A2, D2, ATS34, S30V... and so on. And as I already said; the finish on the M4's is the best I have ever seen.
 
Keyman said:
If you can afford it, the M4 or M2 steel on the Ritters is really outstanding. They get much sharper and stay that way a lot longer than any other steel that I've used A2, D2, ATS34, S30V... and so on. And as I already said; the finish on the M4's is the best I have ever seen.
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It is definitely the best finish out there. I have been EDC'ing my Ritter M4 for a year now and the coating is lasting better than any other coating ever. I have another in the safe if this one ever wears out. I just really love the knife (except for the stock scales) I had Dobson do my EDC and have Wilkins on the safe queen. Wish I had bought a mini M4
 
I know what you mean mr2blue, i missed getting a matching numbered pair when the M2's came out. I wasn't going to do that again. Here's my #87 M4's with Brown Canvas Micarta scales.
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Looks real good, i've been fooling around with G10 and a kershaw scallion, but its not finished yet. Got some ironwood blanks that need something done with them soon. Haven't worked with micarta yet.
 
Here's a Scallion I did about 5 years back in Textalite. I redesigned the back end so I could mount the belt clip for tip up carry. Textalite is a lot like G10. Sorry the pics are so bad.
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