Poll: DLC or Uncoated?

[steelcity16]

Pretty simple poll. Just curious how many people prefer DLC vs. uncoated. I have a pretty even mixture of DLC and uncoated blades, but I would take the DLC pretty much every time these days. I am excited to see the St Nick's exclusives are DLC. It looks great with the Red. I'm pretty excited for the Cutlery Shoppe DLC XHP Para 3 as well. And the DLC S90V Native LW is one of my favorite knives.

I'm not sure how many of each they got, but the Cutlery Shoppe DLC S90V Native LW is almost sold out, where there are over 100 of the uncoated ones left (assuming their online inventory is accurate). Perhaps this is an indication that DLC is more popular than most people think?

What are your thoughts on DLC vs uncoated?

[vivi]

I prefer DLC all of the time, except for rust PROOF steels like H1.

It makes a massive difference in terms of corrosion resistance, letting blades I'd rust in a day go years without showing corrosion. Complete game changer for non-H1 blades.

In fact I'd take DLC liners and hardware too if I had the option.

[bearfacedkiller]

I dislike coated blades. I have one coated Spyderco and it is the USN PE Ladyhawk. I wanted a plain edge Ladyhawk and had no other choice.

I have purchased many carbon steel fixed blades by other makers and they are almost always coated and I always immediately remove the coating.

A coating is pretty much a deal breaker for me.

[The Deacon]

The only blades I think look as good, or even better, with a coated blade are double edged daggers.

[Pelagic]

In an ideal world, I'd prefer uncoated. But since DLC would open up so many more options for users concerned about corrosion resistance, I voted DLC. I would like to see more DLC options, most notably Maxamet.

[Evil D]

A few years ago I would have been all in he DLC camp but once I started modding my knives I realized I'd screw up the DLC so now I tend to avoid it. I did go with the blacked out Autonomy though but I still have the urge to tweak the blade shape.

[Rutger]

I prefer uncoated. I like to see the steel and don't mind some patina, gives the knife some character. But i don't have rust issues with knives over here. For me DLC is more about looks than function. I really like the Orange from Cutlery Shoppe with black DLC for their looks. But with most other scale colors i don't like the black DLC.

[Sharp Guy]

I generally prefer uncoated blades and that's what I voted for. I now have a few knives with coated blades and I'm actually quite happy with them. I wouldn't want all my knives to have coated blades but I think it's a nice change of pace. For me variety is a good thing.

[attila]

I don't like DLC sometimes because the coating increases the friction between blade and material.

For example, cutting an apple was strangely difficult with my example of a DLC Manix. It felt like cutting through styrofoam, where it grabs the blade, but here the DLC grabs the meat of the apple.

I haven't sworn off DLC, I just don't want it on most of my blades.

[supracor]

It depends on what DLC.

I hate the opaque black thing that some people apply on knives and that scratch after two minutes, but i love the TiN or the DLC that Rockstead use, practically scratch proof and mirror polished.
Hitachi have some supercoatings, and i hope that we can see them not only on +$2000 customs.

Katsumi Kitano apply the Tribec© on all his Hap72 blades, and the result is amazing: it has an emerald green colour, it's a mirror, and at the same time it has ~7000 HV.

7000 HV!!!!!!! natural diamond has 10000 HV and Rockstead DLC (the best on the market in my opinion) has 1800 HV, for reference.

[Naperville]

I don't have much of a preference....but I lean 51% to 49% in favor of uncoated. I collect both coated and uncoated blades.

[MichaelScott]

I do not like DLC knife blades. I’ve not had corrosion on any of my knives and even if that happens, I will take care of it. For me, DLC is more of a fashion statement. Perhaps it does retard corrosion but I have heard only anecdotal claims.

I like to see the steel itself and how it takes on its wear patterns over time.

[steelcity16]

I like to see the steel itself and how it takes on its wear patterns over time.

Its funny because I really like the looks of a well worn DLC blade. Uncoated is definitely not a deal breaker for me by any means, but whenever there is a choice of DLC or uncoated Im likely going to go with the DLC.

[Mako109]

Didn't vote because I like both. Just depends on the purpose of the knife, steel type and handle materials.

[abbazaba]

I quite enjoy DLC, but voted Uncoated beacause I prefer it as the default. I want both available if possible, but it sucks when a knife is only available as DLC. ZT0804 is a great example.

[juggler]

the Cutlery Shoppe DLC S90V Native LW is almost sold out, where there are over 100 of the uncoated ones left (assuming their online inventory is accurate). Perhaps this is an indication that DLC is more popular than most people think?

Or is it just because they knew DLC isn't as popular as uncoated... and they didn't order as many of them?

I don't really dislike DLC but given the choice I will almost always choose uncoated.

[ladybug93]

i prefer dlc coated, but i would be equally happy with some stone and/or acid washing. i like steel that doesn’t show marks easily and that won’t rust on me as easy. i live in a tropical area and can use all the help i can get in rust resistance. also, it looks cooler. i’ve never felt the resistance everyone else notices when cutting with a dlc coated blade.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I am definitely for uncoated blades. I understand why some would pick coated blades for certain niche applications. But I prefer satin and polished uncoated finishes.

[bearfacedkiller]

the Cutlery Shoppe DLC S90V Native LW is almost sold out, where there are over 100 of the uncoated ones left (assuming their online inventory is accurate). Perhaps this is an indication that DLC is more popular than most people think?

Or is it just because they knew DLC isn't as popular as uncoated... and they didn't order as many of them?

I don't really dislike DLC but given the choice I will almost always choose uncoated.

The inventory is not accurate. I have been watching the satin one like a hawk. It has been slowly dropping and just a couple of days ago it said 17 of the satin in stock.

Also, this is not the best example. There have been a boatload of satin S90V Natives. The DLC is at least something new. Cutlery Shoppe should have done XHP. I would have been a buyer already. I already have two satin S90V Natives. The only reason I keep stalking it is the orange handle.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I am also glad you made this thread for another reason: To sal and anyone here: Are there any known durable coating materials that can be transparently coated to adhere to the blade, so we get the best of both: A durable blade coating AND the ability to see the satin metal beneath, or, not at this point?