Alaskan guide blade finish

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kossetx

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Apr 11, 2017
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I'm full of questions today. I searched but didn't see an answer. How does the AG finish hold up to use. I use my knife a lot at work and would like to try s30V but I wonder what that black finish will look like in a few years. The 420 hc blades don't look too bad after use but I do regularly rotate them out.

Thanks, mp
 
I was told that the finish on the AG was TDLC (Tungsten Diamond Like Carbon). This a fancy name for Particle Vapor Deposited Tungsten Carbide which has an HRC (Hardness Rockwell C scale) of 72. This coating is softer, blacker, and shinier than the TiAlN (Titanium Aluminum Nitride) 92 HRC found on some of the Ion Fusion Buck Cote blades.
72 is a good high hardness. The blade over which the WC (Tungsten Carbide) is applied only Rockwells around 60. You can use the sides of the coated blade like a finishing steel to touch up your micro edge.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

My question is simply about aesthetics. Does the added finish/coating look decent after use?
 
I haven't had any chip off or anything like that. It scuffs and shows blems like uncoated blades when they're used, but the two I've ever had and used didn't look too bad. Baton a few bushes (1-2"), skin a few rodents. Not much beyond that. But, it held up pretty good.
 
This finish will hold up better than softer coatings like Parkerize (phosphate dip) or baked on paint. The coat is also much more scratch resistant than the blade itself because of its higher Rockwell hardness. I use coated blades to touch up (sharpen) other knives, and the coat stands up to this "abuse".
 
I agree with Tiguy. That material is a tough, wear resistant coating. Short of taking the blade to a grinder, it's not coming off. If your cutting paper and cardboard at
work, I don't think that will phase it. DM
 
Thanks again guys! I saw a black buck one time at a pawn shop. It was all scratched up and worn but it appeared to have been asian. Mp
 
Last edited:
David Martin said:
I agree with Tiguy. That material is a tough, wear resistant coating. Short of taking the blade to a grinder, it's not coming off. If your cutting paper and cardboard at
work, I don't think that will phase it. DM
Click to expand...

yep.

dont own a buck dlc but many other brands. although it might appear harmed but its just residue of what was cut and rubs right off dlc. even aluminum cans. done it. thought it rubbed the dlc coating off...nope just aluminum residue. rubbed right off.
 
Yep, that coating really makes it a up grade knife. I have no complaints about my Bass Pro or the Cabela's 110. To me they are worth the money I spent. DM
 
Cabela's ad for the AG knives say...
  • S30V steel offers superior edge retention and strength
  • Titanium-nitride coating extends blade life
  • Flexibility and hardness while remaining easy to sharpen
I have several and have not used them for any length of time so can't comment on the durability. The 692 AG I bought used, it does show signs of wear and some scratches, I have no idea how much or what kind of use it had. I'm looking forward to getting to use it this hunting season. Preston
 
View attachment 722631 I have many knife blades, tool bits, and drill bits that are coated with TiN. They are all dark Gold in color. The Zirconium Nitride coated items are Champagne Gold colored. The CBN (cubic Boron Nitride) coated stuff is black. The TiAlN stuff is charcoal. The TDLC is black. The TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride) stuff is light purple.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding these coatings. TiN coatings are often labeled TiNi which is Titanium Nickel. There is a coating called Aluminum Titanium Nitride which has different properties than TiAlN.
I don't think the copy writers at Cabela's are up to speed. Here a picture of a TiN blade.
 
Koss, I thought I'd take this further. By showing the AG in use. Material slides off these coated blades when being used. Just take a normal 110 and cut a slice of cheese. Then examine the blade. Now do the same with the AG. You should notice much less cheese stuck to it.
This is why I enjoy using it. We raised a rooster and being fully matured I'll use this model for the processing today. DM
 
I got these first 2 photos reversed but will go forward with it. This morning early, rooster caught. DM
 
Here is all the cuts and parts ready for the freezer. Being from the South we save the liver and gizzard. The back and neck, (sometimes not saved) with a drum thrown in are used as grocery extenders in chicken soup with noodles. The AG blade remains clean like this all through. Any of this look familiar? DM
 
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