XM-18 Blade Finish

slim4511

slim4511

Joined
Dec 8, 2014
Messages
131
Ok so I have had my XM-18 for a couple of months now and really love it. A question I have though is that the blade finish (not the bezel, but the sides) is so smooth that it really feels like there is something on there causing it to feel that way. Almost feels like there is lacquer or something although I'm sure there actually isn't. So what is it in the process or in the steel itself that makes it feel that way? Don't get me wrong, I love the feel but just don't understand why it feels that way.
 
slim4511 said:
Ok so I have had my XM-18 for a couple of months now and really love it. A question I have though is that the blade finish (not the bezel, but the sides) is so smooth that it really feels like there is something on there causing it to feel that way. Almost feels like there is lacquer or something although I'm sure there actually isn't. So what is it in the process or in the steel itself that makes it feel that way? Don't get me wrong, I love the feel but just don't understand why it feels that way.
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Assuming you have a production stone washed blade (and it is not DLC coated), there is no finish and the raw steel is stonewashed to a very smooth finish. There is no finish applied on the satin, working finish, bead blast or sand blast either. They do wipe the blades down after sharpening (typically with WD40) but if you have had it for a couple of months and using it, I can't imagine there is any of it left on the blade.
 
BTW. My Spearpoint is super smooth on the blade field so I see what you mean. Nothing there or added.... just buttery smooth :)
 
Yeah I knew there wasn't anything on the blade but it is way smoother than any other knife I have seen or handled. I was just curious as to whether they had something different in their process that created this level of smoothness or if it was just longer time during stonewash or what.
 
If you saw the tumbler you would probably understand, it's as big as a Volkswagon Beetle!
 
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