Would you say that DLC and other protective coatings are redundant on stainless steels?

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DangerZone98

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Dec 7, 2019
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I’ve seen blades offered in S35VN and N690 coated in DLC. With proper knife maintenance, I don’t think these steels would have problems with rust. Subjective, but it’s a damn shame to cover up that sexy polished finish.
 
Subjective. Some people like DLC, some like stonewashed, satin, mirror, acid etched, etc, etc. DLC would be good from a practical standpoint for carbon steels, but the edge is still exposed, so even there it's still not a perfect solution.
 
DLC isn't as rust resistant as many other coatings. As I understand it, there's a lot of microscopic pores in a DLC coating that moisture can seep through. The main benefits of DLC are its hardness and its low coefficient of friction. Otherwise it's an aesthetic choice.
 
Some people actually prefer a black blade . Tactical concealment or just attractive like with an orange handle .

DLC is also very hard and slick .

Along with some oil / lube etc . might be slicker , easier to clean and resist scratching on softer stainless .
 
Another purpose of dlcs is that it is non-reflective. My guess is, on a battlefield, you wouldn’t want a light reflection revealing your location.
 
Yes it's redundant and I think it's mostly for aesthetics anyway. Personally I think its horrible but to each their own.
 
depends. I like dlc on stainless for better scratch resistance. plus if blade is finished mirrorish beofre coating, then it kinda glides through materials without wear. seems like less resistance which makes a thinner geometry blade quite a slicer.

in cold steel fixed blades with a secure ex knife scratching and edge dulling sheath......I particularly like it for resisting side of blade scratches using the sheath.
 
DLC is pretty weak. It scratches away with materials as soft as pop can aluminum.

A well done PVD is totally different. It will pick up metal in the finish and you can just wipe it away and it looks new. Coatings are just aesthetics on stainless. None of us are ninjas/special forces commandos that need non-reflective gear, lol. That's hilarious.

Just buy what you like and give up on trying to validate it.
 
I've seen people say it's either DLC or PVD, and I don't know, but whatever the coating is on the Cold Steel Recon 1s I've owned, I liked it well enough. It seemed to reduce friction and seemed quite durable. But it wasn't entirely non-reflective, and it gave off a bit of a mall-ninja vibe, so when the new Recon 1 spear point in S35VN I have just traded for arrives, I will most likely just remove it, which will be easier than ever given the saber grind replacing the old hollow grinds.
 
J85909266 said:
DLC is pretty weak. It scratches away with materials as soft as pop can aluminum.

A well done PVD is totally different. It will pick up metal in the finish and you can just wipe it away and it looks new. Coatings are just aesthetics on stainless. None of us are ninjas/special forces commandos that need non-reflective gear, lol. That's hilarious.

Just buy what you like and give up on trying to validate it.
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Spyderco's DLC is anything but weak. And DLC can be done in a PVD (physical vapor deposition) process. It's all in the quality of the work and the hardness of the coating.

I get coated blades for different looks myself. Black/blue PM2, or my BHQ M4 spydercos. It's an aesthetic thing. Anyone claiming needing a non-reflective blade for tactical situations is living in a fantasy. Unless you are really a navy seal or something. But I doubt any military member actually uses their knives for fighting much.
 
I like the looks of DLC and others like it for tactical reasons (stealth).

But corrosion protection is not what DLC is about:

"For example a coating of only 2 μm thickness of ta-C increases the resistance of common (e.g., type 304) stainless steel against abrasive wear, changing its lifetime in such service from one week to 85 years."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond-like_carbon


So, DLC or no DLC, if the steel is prone to corrosion, it is best to keep the blade oiled, IMHO.

PS: Image search for "rusty DLC blade" will show, how it is not really protecting from rust.
 
Kmikaz3 said:
Another purpose of dlcs is that it is non-reflective. My guess is, on a battlefield, you wouldn’t want a light reflection revealing your location.
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Yep, those pesky sentries are trained to look for flashy stuff... makes it hard to walk around the battlefield with your knife out of its sheath all the time.

With proper maintenance, no knife will have problems with rust. DLC coatings are purely decoration in my book. I prefer the look of the steel myself.

kobold kobold that link about DLC was actually a pretty interesting read. I see the purpose, but I can't see enough advantage to opt for it on my blades.
 
Depends.

I don't like coatings much, even on carbon steel. They all eventually wear off.

DLC and park are my two favorites thus far. I hate painted on coatings.

I get the utility, they inhibit oxidization, they prevent reflection (can be a problem for military users where light discipline is an issue), and they are nice for makers to reduce time spent on making the steel pretty.

I'd rather have bare steel in my uses. I dont care about reflectivity, I maintain my stuff, and bare steel tends to provide a better cutting experience (dlc and park do a better job than painted).

So....it depends on why the coating is desired. For rust prevention, probably not needed. For aesthetics, sure. For reflection control, sure.
 
I never liked coated black blades, and would never buy one. Then after getting my first Recon1 and American Lawman, I was so impressed with those knives that I didn t mind the blade coatings. I still prefer the uncoated blade, but if a knife has the ergonomics, strength and fit and finish of the two models mentioned, I don t let the blade coating keep me from using them. And buying back ups.
 
I have two coated blades, decide to see if the coating helps with rust and keeping the blade in better shape. The other is stainless with coating since that is just how some knives come these days.

I just cleaned the rust out of daily carry rex 45 shaman from all my pocket sweat. Hoping the coating will cut down on the rust.
 
rycen said:
It’s porous
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And so goes the theory that oil / lube / polish anticorrosives might be held in this pores and thus help prevent rust more efficiently / longer .

I don't know if there is any real proof for this notion . Or disproof .

I always use some oil or polish with all my blades , including the DLC coated .

The edge is bare metal on all blades , so that needs the protection anyway .
 
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