Finishes (black coatings) what's the difference?

[chambers]

Guys,

I was wondering how many types of black blade coatings or finishes there are. I've heard of black-ti black t, seriously what's the difference between the multiple finishes and which would hold up the best? I would be embarrased to carry a knife whos' finish is coming off. Suggestions?



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[Sword and Shield]

All finishes will degrade over time, yet my experience has shown that powder-coated finishes tend to hold up the worst of any black finish, due to it basically being a coat of paint.

Black-T or Black-TI tend to hold up very well, since the finish is bonded directly to the metal and is very difficult to wear off.

Also thought I should include a little logical reasoning behind my dislike of black-epoxy blades. I work as a Knife/Axe instructor for a number of groups, and my students always bring me knives they are convinced have a razor edge. Most often, this "razor edge" is a poorly executed rebeveling with an overly coarse stone that absolutely destroys the coating and blade finish.

A single errant swipe with a stone on a black epoxy finish will at least cause serious wear to the finish, if not remove it from that spot entirely. A black titanium finish will stand up to this punishment far better and is a bit more forgiving to a novice freehand sharpener.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

Edited by - Sword and Shield on 7/7/2001 3:59:36 PM

[Carlos]

Some black coatings, black ti/t, nitride, are a nitrogen hardened titanium coating.

Others like BT2, are a teflon coating. Basically self-lubricating plastic.

Still others are basically a baked on lacquer coating (paint).

[sal]

We ae currently testing a thin film diamond coating.

There are many types. As S & S mentioned, time and use will eventually wear all of the coatings that we've tested.

sal

[Knife Knut]

That would be amphorus diamond, right?

The coating be for protection from corrosion, etc;

You aren't going to combine the coating into the edge by way of ingenious grind patterns are you?

[panguero]

Diamond-like coatings? Good stuff Sal. Are the anniversary knives by any chance coated?

[sal]

I don't know what type of diamond coating it is yet.

The anniversary knife is not planned to be coated.

Coatings on edges have both positives and negatives. We have no plans to coat edges at this time.

sal