The end of Kershaw/ZT DLC coating?

S

stillshot2

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Jun 6, 2014
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Just noticed on their websites there's a disclaimer in the specs saying older coated USA made knives may have DLC coating, and the new spec says cerakote. That's a shame because I like black blades and Kershaw/ZT did a great job on their DLC models I own. As far as I know cerakote is a downgrade and a cost cutting measure, correct? Has anyone experienced any of these new blades and can comment on the quality compared to the old?
 
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While I do not own any of their new cerakoted bladed, cerakote is a much more stain and chemical resistant coating than DLC. I do not consider it a downgrade in the least.

Cerakote does scratch a little easier, but on a working knife you will get scratches even with DLC.

That said, I hate all coatings. Coatings do nothing to protect the edge, which is really where you need it. Coatings on blades are mainly for aesthetics, and/or to hide manufacturer tooling marks.
 
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Not that it applies with most of ZTs steels, but
they do alot to protect non stainless from corrosion .especially in areas that are hard to service ,It's easier to maintain just the edge than an entire blade and with fixed blades using non removable scales especially so !
 
Benchmade dropped all their DLC coatings in the past year as well. Some models were replaced with Cerakoted blades, others were dropped from the lineup. I wonder if both companies used a third party for DLC coating, and if said third party is having issues. I seem to remember someone saying that, but it could have just been speculation.
 
Buck did this with their Alaskan guide line whole back. killed the tdlc coating, which was far superior and went to the cerakote. I'm not a fan of it. for a carbon blade I can deal with it. for stainless it's a waste especially how quick it marks up and wears away.
 
Yah seems like most companies are swapping to cerakote since it’s fairly easy and cost effective to apply In house. I used to not be a fan of it but I’ve had some knives recently where it’s held up exceptionally well to wear. Not to mention it’s significantly superior to dlc in terms of corrosion resistance.
 
If they nix DLC, I guess that will also nix their BlackWash (stonewashed DLC) finish. I'm not sure I've ever seen stonewashed Cerakote.

I prefer DLC to PVD and Cerakote (in that order). It's a shame to see it becoming less common.
 
Sure seems like a cost cutting measure. I know there is this prevailing sentiment that Cerakote is better for resisting corrosion than DLC, but I'm pretty sure Aaron Gough publicly tested that on his YouTube channel and found that DLC was essentially as good at preventing corrosion and is by far a superior coating overall.

The only other advantage to Cerakote I can think of is possibly having a lower application temperature than DLC. I imagine this would only matter if the DLC application temperature exceeded your planned steel tempering temperature.
 
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TDLC (Tungsten Diamond Like Carbon) and DLC are the same, and can be applied by PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) in a vacuum chamber. The material being applied is Tungsten Carbide at 72 HRC. It has much more abrasion resistance than CeraKote (baked paint). DLC is harder than the blade; CeraKote is much softer than the blade. The WC (Tungsten Carbide) is vaporized in the Vacuum chamber and condenses on the relatively cool blades.
 
tiguy7 said:
TDLC (Tungsten Diamond Like Carbon) and DLC are the same, and can be applied by PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) in a vacuum chamber. The material being applied is Tungsten Carbide at 72 HRC. It has much more abrasion resistance than CeraKote (baked paint). DLC is harder than the blade; CeraKote is much softer than the blade. The WC (Tungsten Carbide) is vaporized in the Vacuum chamber and condenses on the relatively cool blades.
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Where does TDLC factor into this discussion?
 
Silent H said:
I wonder if both companies used a third party for DLC coating, and if said third party is having issues. I seem to remember someone saying that, but it could have just been speculation.
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This seems like a logical explanation; wonder if anyone from Kershaw/ZT can comment. May drive up the value and price on the used market on their older knives now? Hope Spyderco can continue their DLC because I do prefer it when using my larger knives in public, seems to be less noticable and scare non-knife people less
 
shane45-1911 said:
While I do not own any of their new cerakoted bladed, cerakote is a much more stain and chemical resistant coating than DLC. I do not consider it a downgrade in the least.

Cerakote does scratch a little easier, but on a working knife you will get scratches even with DLC.

That said, I hate all coatings. Coatings do nothing to protect the edge, which is really where you need it. Coatings on blades are mainly for aesthetics, and/or to hide manufacturer tooling marks.
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I have been trying to figure out a way to add something to the actual edge! you got 1911 45 in your name so we will get along.

marrenmiller said:
I don't think that's correct.
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You're correct it's not. And its the PVD application process, it varies from literal company to company and is a joke unless you're paying for firearms grade shit. (they ain't)
 
stillshot2 said:
This seems like a logical explanation; wonder if anyone from Kershaw/ZT can comment. May drive up the value and price on the used market on their older knives now? Hope Spyderco can continue their DLC because I do prefer it when using my larger knives in public, seems to be less noticable and scare non-knife people less
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My point is to actually scare em so they then get educated that a baseball bat is deadlier. Can't fix stupid
 
Silent H said:
Benchmade dropped all their DLC coatings in the past year as well. Some models were replaced with Cerakoted blades, others were dropped from the lineup. I wonder if both companies used a third party for DLC coating, and if said third party is having issues. I seem to remember someone saying that, but it could have just been speculation.
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They undoubtedly use a third party. DLC is a vapor deposition process. Has to be performed in a vacuum chamber under high vacuum. Very pricey specialized equipment to do it. Nobody does it as an in-house operation. Even aerospace companies outsource it.
 
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