Pros and Cons of Coated Blades

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

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I don't own any knives with black coated blades. But I think I'm going to order a couple soon. I just don't know what exactly the pros and cons are of coated blades (aside from the obvious : dark blade means a less conspicuous knife to carry and use).

But what are some of the other pros? And what are the cons?
 
Pro's;
Looks
Corrosion protection
Less reflective

Con's;
Friction upon slicing
Thickens blade
Can chip off
May add a bit to cost

Doc
 
Me personally cant think of a benefit of coated blades.

I despise them actually.

if a knife ONLY offers coated blade, I will not look further.
 
Wolverine666 said:
I don't own any knives with black coated blades. But I think I'm going to order a couple soon. I just don't know what exactly the pros and cons are of coated blades (aside from the obvious : dark blade means a less conspicuous knife to carry and use).

But what are some of the other pros? And what are the cons?
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A black blade is only less conspicuous in relation to reflecting light. I guarantee you that among normal people a black blade is much more conspicuous than a more conventional finish.
 
I strongly dislike coated blades. The only pros from my perspective is corrosion protection, but the cons already listed far outweigh that for anyone with basic knife maintenance knowledge and experience.
 
Some blade coatings actually help to keep material from sticking to them when slicing, but depending on actual use, a polished blade will also achieve the same thing. Some knife nuts actually dig the look of a worn coating on a blade because it does add some character to a knife. I don't mind coatings on large fixed blades since many use high carbon steel and they're usually there for corrosion protection.

On the flipside, the can be easily removed with a beadblast.
 
I can understand coating a high carbon steel that is prone to corrosion. But not a SS like M390 that is corrosion-resistant.

I'm talking functionality, not looks. Some prefer the looks of a coated blade, and they should have that option. I prefer SS that is stonewashed.
 
I got a spy manix in m4 i can not pack,might in the cooler months,i had a gayle bradley that rusted daily in the heat.
 
Mall Ninjas prefer polished blades so their girl friends can check their make-up in the reflection while the boys are brandishing their blades.
 
I've always suspected the primary attraction to blade coatings for many manufacturers is that is probably less expensive to coat a blade than to put a good polish on it. The rest is mostly hype.
 
If your needs constitute stealth a matte black blade helps hide reflection at night or day. Coating also helps against the elements especially for rust-prone blades. For instance, both the black and regular blades of Benchmade Contego (CPM-M4) have a Cerakote coating. The gray Cerakote still wards off some reflection.
 
Agree that coating on blades highly prone to rust like 1095 etc. makes sense. I loathe coating on blade steels that truly don't need it, ie. all the cold steel folders.

Only coated blade folder I ever bought was an Adamas.
 
fetzer85 said:
Agree that coating on blades highly prone to rust like 1095 etc. makes sense. I loathe coating on blade steels that truly don't need it, ie. all the cold steel folders.

Only coated blade folder I ever bought was an Adamas.
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+1. If I was carrying a knife daily made from something like M4, 5160, W2 or O1 (just as a few examples) I would probably like some sort of coating that would help keep rust away long enough for me to clean and oil the blade. I've owned a couple of knives in M4 and O1, and with the way I sweat there's rust visible the next morning.
 
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