what is the black coating on the para-military? help

[spydercojoe]

I thought I knew most everything but when asked this question I blanked, What is the black coating and how is it put on the para-mili?
I should comment that after just getting this para and seeing it up close , I cant be more positive on this knife! Fit, finish -perfect . Quite a knife.
I also purchased a polywog from the man himself and was tickled to have him sign it- a special keepsake, thanks Eric! It also is a cuttin workhorse plus nice eye candy--to be clear I mean a cool looking knife that cuts like there was no tomorrow. Great work you two , keep it up
So thanks for any insight on the black coating.

[The Deacon]

Joe, I'm probably the wrongest person to answer this, but I think I remember Sal saying that the black coatings on all the current models which have them are DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon). Could be wrong, I'm not a fan of coated blades myself for purely esthetic reasons, so I don't pay too much attention to them, other than to avoid them.

[boxer93]

Joe,
I too think it's DLC. I hope you enjoy using that PM. I use a custom scaled tip up one most weekends. It's just the right size for me. last weekend the door at my mothers house was sticking. With no chisels avail I trimmed her threshold with it. Performed better than I thought it would.
Chris

[spydercojoe]

Thanks for the info on DLC . Now do you know how it is put on and is it done in house? Thanks.

[Senate]

while we're speaking of the Para coating, does anyone know if it's totally ok to cut food and eat with it?

[TazKristi]

Yes, it is DLC. As for cutting food and eating with it... yes, it is safe.

Kristi

[snuffaluff]

I"m not sure "how it's put on", but I'd imagine it to be something like anodizing. Electric charge. I know that aluminum can be anodized w/ colors... Not sure bout the DLC.

[zeus]

The DLC thin-coated film is composed of carbon (C), the same as diamond and graphite. The structure of DLC is amorphous.

The bonding mode between the carbon atoms of DLC consists of both a diamond structure and a graphite one; the carbon atoms are partially connected with hydrogen atoms.

Because of such a hydrogen bond, DLC has an amorphous structure, without having the crystal structure made up of a regular combination in the order of long distance.

The properties of DLC are similar to those of diamond, so DLC is called Diamond-Like Carbon.

DLC has a very low coefficient of friction and high wear resistibility; DLC is used prosperously in recent years in the manufacturing field. At present, the DLC is deposited by high frequency plasma CVD method.

Glow discharge is generated by adding high frequency electric power between two electrodes, which face each other. The DLC thin film is accumulated on the surface of the substrate, which is settled on the cathode electrode by decomposing a material gas such as CH4 (methane) which, is introduced between the electrodes by utilizing glow discharge,



The Characteristics of DLC:



1. High hardness, Low coefficient of friction. Excellent abrasion resistance

2. Very smooth surface Low attacking nature

3. Chemically inactive. Excellent corrosion resistance

4. Very little wear powder (under frictional movement). Excellent preventative nature for emitting dust and contamination

[zenheretic]

Zeus with all that knowledge/research in metal work you might have to change your name to Haephestus.

[uncleknife]

Bodycote's Diamond DLC makes a blade or handle essentially scratch proof & rust proof, it is only microns thick, so it does not change the original blade finish - example, satin finish stays satin, morror finish stays mirror, etc.

I have other knives, not the spyderco with Bodycote's DLC coating & have been using them for a few years now.

They show absolutly no wear, but the blades with matt finish seam to take more smears of the material from the object being cut, it can be scrubbed off.
I prefer a satin or brushed finish prior to the coating being applied, it does not show fingerprints & smears just wipe off.

[jaislandboy]

Thanks Zeus for the detailed description ...it took a while to digest but it satisfies my technoscientific sweet tooth! ;)

[Jimd]

Aside from the technical specs (very impressive info, by the way, Zeus!), I can say that I like it a lot!! Excellent wear resistance, eliminates rust.

[Vincent]

Alot better than the benchmade stuff,.

[spydercojoe]

Since I asked the question(s) in the first place I should at least have the good manners to say to you all , Thanks for your answers!! Especially to ZEUS who gave a detailed spectacular answer. Thanks again

[zeus]

Thanks guys,

that's one of my OLD posts from this forum.

Good call on Haephestus, you know your Greek mythos...