black finish or satin stainless steel?

P

powersx2

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
20
I am new to knives and wasnt sure on the differences between a black finish knife and a satin stainless steel finish knife. Which is better? what is the purpose of the black finish? Sorry about sounding so unknowlegeable. Thanks.
 
Don't worry, we all started as newbies.

A black finish is supposed to make the blade more rust-resistant by simply covering the bare steel with a layer of teflon/Titanium Nitride/whatever. It also makes the blade non-reflective, which might be a requirement for those in the military.
Teflon finishes also aid the blade in gliding through the seperated matter.

A satin finish looks better (on some knives at least) and doesn't scratch as easily as almost all of the cheaper (and some of the more expensive) coatings.

For additional information on this subject, run a search. You can find the "search" button in the upper right corner of your screen.

Oh and welcome to the forums. :)
 
I think a lot may be personal preference. I like the satin (bead blasted) finish more than the coated ones.
 
Thanks for your responses guys. That really helped out a lot. In terms of a seld defense knife, which coating is best? thanks.
 
Many would prefer a non-reflective black finish for that purpose, but that's just a detail IMO. If you can choose from different finishes, go for the coating. But don't discard a good SD knife just 'cause it's not coated.
 
powersx2,

Welcome to the forums!

No coating is "better" for self defense. In such situations, some folks like coated blades because they hide the glare, making a knife a lottle harder to see. Some coatings are better at keeping a blade rust free that others, so there your question make more sense.

Like Quiet Storm, I much prefer a satin blade over a coated blade. I think uncoated blades look way better and I'm not too interested in subdued blades. Now, a black pocket clip on a folder is a good idea I think! My silver clips get noticed, while my black clips have been noticed twice.

Unless you live in a corrosion-prevalent environment, or you are in the military where glare off of shiny steel can be noticed by gun-toting bad guys, or you really like th elook of a blackened blade, choose an uncoated blade. If you do choose a coated blade, expect the coating to wear and scratch.
 
those black coated blades are great...if your slikning about in the dark like a ninja! oh wait I have a bunch...damm:p
 
Be aware that the black coated blades may often be non-stainless, and possibly better steel especially at the lower price points.
 
Satin finish all the way. I have never seen a black coated blade that didn't lose it's coating.
 
Well, I like both but prefer the look and wear of satin finishes. I would not pass up on a knife I liked that was only offered with a coated blade.

DLC coating is stronger than any coating I have seen. I have a couple of Benchmades with it and have used the crap out of them and never had a scratch.

One advantage to some of the black coatings {teflon based} is that they can actually enhance the cutting ability of the knife because there is less drag on the blade. Just like a skillet coated in teflon they are slippery.

I would say 1/3 or more of my knives are coated and they are all that way because I did not have a choice in non-coated with the exception of one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top