Spyderco Forums

I'd love to see more DLC on everything.

Bloke wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:51 pm

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:34 pm

Bloke wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:25 pm

I voted No. :)

I don't like how it looks and I very much doubt it does much to protect an unmaintained blade. Plus your blade looks pox when the coating scratches.

The question I'm compelled to ask is; what protects the uncoated bevel, pivot area, etc?

I reckon putting a coatings on blades is akin to wearing a torn raincoat. :eek:

An honest response, but one that seems to indicate you haven't used many DLC blades.

I’ve a couple of Esee’s Hitch, and I’m dancing around a 10” Junglas ... but I’d prefer they weren’t coated.

Those coatings are no where near as good as Spydercos DLC. I've owned and used hard 6 ESEE's and multiple DLC Spydercos and there is a bigger difference in the coating durability than there is edge holding difference between ESEE's 55-57 RC 1095 and Maxamet.

The opinions posted in this thread are akin to laughing at someone for wearing a perfectly good rain coat in the rain.

People have had experiences with DLC that have been game changing for them, enabling to use steels that'd rust in under a week for two years without a hint of rust, yet people want to discredit that because that hasn't been their personal experience?

Bloke wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:19 pm

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:59 pm

Great knives, but ESEE's coating isn't as good as Spyderco's, not even close.

Yes, I’m lead to believe Spyderco coating is superior but at the end of the day a non stainless blade coated or otherwise still requires a little maintenance. It’s not as though a non stainless blade coated in something becomes a maintenance free blade and when you think about it the uncoated part of the blade i.e. the cutting edge is what ultimately needs protection but it’s bare metal. :rolleyes:

That steel will get cleaned during normal sharpening, it's not a big deal.

The coating protects the blade surface area from developing rust due to sweat exposure riding in a pocket. It protects the pivot and (if applicable) the liners from developing rust when moisture gets trapped in there and wiping the blade doesn't remove it all.

On a backlock or CBBL, even a worn in beater will have the sides of the pivot, the spine, the sides of the blade, the jimped finger choil etc. protected from corrosion.

In addition to DLC blades, I'd like to see more DLC liners. I think the Manix XL is the only one in my collection that has them. They go a long way towards fighting rusted internals.

Vivi wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:51 am

The opinions posted in this thread are akin to laughing at someone for wearing a perfectly good rain coat ...

Hey Vivi, maybe I should have posted a simple “No” (?) :rolleyes:

I’m not overly phased by what you or anybody else likes or thinks one way or another. Do you think I should be? Why are you put out by what I don’t like? :confused:

I’m genuinely happy blade coatings have changed your life (I’m still waiting for something to change mine) but I still reckon you’re blade coatings look like pox. Ah, hahaha! :)

Rain coats for knives

Great turnout, the vote is super close. I wish I had specified 2 versions of the "No" vote:

1) No, I don't think DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades

It would have provided a better representation of the community's overall stance.

I voted no. I don't like the look of coated blades.

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

Great turnout, the vote is super close. I wish I had specified 2 versions of the "No" vote:

1) No, I don't think DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades

It would have provided a better representation of the community's overall stance.

I think also working in or around salt water or other corrosive task/environments are a factor as Vivi and you pointed out.

Pelagic,

I'm surprised that it is predominately an equal split of interest/disinterest. I prefer to read comments and hear reasons/preferences than to select among a few prescribed choices. Often it isn't just one overriding thing but multiple things that compound. I was hoping to get more insight on how people are using their tool steel blades and why stainless alternatives really aren't alternatives. I'm from a dry environment; sweaty pockets in summer, infrequently stuck in winter wet for a while, acid from food, and epsom salt baths (people do bath with their beloved knives don't they?) are as corrosive as it gets for me.

CG

I think the range of opinions is interesting, despite this topic having already been debated extensively. I voted yes, partly because if there is even a little protection against corrosion, that seems like a good thing. But I also find spyderco's DLC is not like other blade coatings that create friction or thickness and impair cutting or cleaning. For whatever reason, I find my DLC coated blades wipe clean easier and seem to glide through cuts smoother. Maybe just my imagination, but not a showstopper. For appearances, I actually prefer uncoated to avoid the tactical first impression, but DLC is an option I like to have.

jasonstone20 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:33 am

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

Great turnout, the vote is super close. I wish I had specified 2 versions of the "No" vote:

1) No, I don't think DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades

It would have provided a better representation of the community's overall stance.

I think also working in or around salt water or other corrosive task/environments are a factor as Vivi and you pointed out.

Yeah I agree. In some rural or arid areas you see old run down cars from the 60's with very little rust. This tells a big part of the story. At the beach, the only classic cars you'll see are ones that were recently restored.

cycleguy wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 9:47 am

Pelagic,

I'm surprised that it is predominately an equal split of interest/disinterest. I prefer to read comments and hear reasons/preferences than to select among a few prescribed choices. Often it isn't just one overriding thing but multiple things that compound. I was hoping to get more insight on how people are using their tool steel blades and why stainless alternatives really aren't alternatives. I'm from a dry environment; sweaty pockets in summer, infrequently stuck in winter wet for a while, acid from food, and epsom salt baths (people do bath with their beloved knives don't they?) are as corrosive as it gets for me.

CG

Alternative is a strong word, but if you'll look at s110v vs k390, the general edge retention is even, however toughness and sharpenability heavily favor k390. S110v only has corrosion resistance on its side. Most low chromium tool steels generally behave better in sharpening and in use. Regarding sXXXv steels specifically, while they hold a working edge for a long time, they 1) blunt when they dull (different steels wear in different ways), and 2) do not hold a hair whittling edge as long as high wear resistance low chromium steels. Toughness and holding an extremely high degree of sharpness are key factors in low chromium steels being more favorable to several of us in the community. From a performance standpoint the only thing missing is corrosion resistance. And k390 vs s110v is just one example of many that could be made.

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

a better representation

Bloke wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:58 pm

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

a better representation

Oh you simply must find a DLC Kangaroo in a raincoat now!

Love to have some Spydies in the Stonewash DLC like Hinderer is using now!

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

Great turnout, the vote is super close. I wish I had specified 2 versions of the "No" vote:

1) No, I don't think DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades

It would have provided a better representation of the community's overall stance.

I give you something slightly different:

1) No, I'm not sure DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades when scratched
3) No, I don't like how the blade feels (sticky when being wiped)

Roland.

ferider wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:05 pm

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 8:02 am

Great turnout, the vote is super close. I wish I had specified 2 versions of the "No" vote:

1) No, I don't think DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades

It would have provided a better representation of the community's overall stance.

I give you something slightly different:

1) No, I'm not sure DLC is effective
2) No, I just prefer the looks of uncoated blades when scratched
3) No, I don't like how the blade feels (sticky when being wiped)

Roland.

Sticky when being wiped? Really?

Geez! Who cares if some like DLC and some don't? People like what they like and trying to change their mind for the sake of pushing your own preference rarely works. I like both because I'm a knife ho, but that's me. I simply think this argument is really silly.

Crux wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:17 pm

Geez! Who cares if some like DLC and some don't? People like what they like and trying to change their mind for the sake of pushing your own preference rarely works. I like both because I'm a knife ho, but that's me. I simply think this argument is really silly.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOOOOOA, Crux.

Let's keep it mature now.

:D

Pelagic wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:51 pm

Sticky when being wiped? Really?

Yep. I only have two s90v and m4 DLC Manix. Both behave like this (wiped with my usual cloth - moist with Froglube).

Check out this PM2: https://www.ebay.com/itm/153324321147. Carried for 2 days. Maybe just bad photos, but the DLC does seem to scratch a lot ?

That sale page seems fishy altogether. Seller doesn't have good communication skills that reflect honesty, weird photos, price is outrageous.