Satin VS Black Blades

[akheaps76]

I recently lost my Para 3 G10 s30 knife while on vacation. I loved that knife and want to replace it with another Para 3 G10.
I see that it comes in either the satin finish (like my previous knife) or a blade blade. I was wondering if there is any difference in rust resistance with the black blade over the satin finish?
If anyone here has knowledge of this, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks-

[Michael Janich]

Dear akheaps76:

Welcome to the Spyderco Forum.

Stay safe,

Mike

[ladybug93]

welcome! i think the general consensus is that the coated blade does help prevent corrosion, but you still need to take care of the knife in basically the same way you would if it wasn't coated. that said, s30v should have good enough corrosion resistance to be fine without the coating as well. i've seen it rust after going for a swim in the ocean and being left for a week, but it still cleaned up pretty easily. i've never had an issue with it in regular usage.

[Evil D]

I could swear I read on here once that rust can form underneath DLC, but the latest belief is that it's bonded to the steel and rust can't form under it. I can't speak on the coating that Japan uses, but the Golden made DLC is also quite tough and (reasonably) resistant to scratches.

[Manixguy@1994]

I could swear I read on here once that rust can form underneath DLC, but the latest belief is that it's bonded to the steel and rust can't form under it. I can't speak on the coating that Japan uses, but the Golden made DLC is also quite tough and (reasonably) resistant to scratches.

I also remember somewhere in a thread someone discussing rust under coating . I believe it was possibly a Shaman ( could be wrong ) in M4 steel . I think owner was California near Saltwater environment. I don’t have many black blades myself but do like the added personality over time and resistance to corrosion if needed foe steels or environment. MG2

[TkoK83Spy]

It was Pelagic, with his St Nicks Shaman exclusive in 4V. I remember reading his post and seeing those pictures, first time I've seen something like that. Granted yes, he did work on a boat/rig in the ocean.

[James Y]

IIRC, vivi has stated more than once that the DLC coating enhances corrosion resistance significantly. In addition, all the current DLC-bladed knives have liners and other hardware that are black-coated (though not with DLC), that also protects those parts, which are more vulnerable to hidden corrosion than the blades themselves. Of course, areas that would remain uncoated in the current DLC models are the edge bevels and the lock mating surfaces on the blades.

Even so, I still treat my DLC blades as if they are uncoated stainless, meaning I rinse and/or wipe the blade after use.

Jim

[Evil D]

I could swear I read on here once that rust can form underneath DLC, but the latest belief is that it's bonded to the steel and rust can't form under it. I can't speak on the coating that Japan uses, but the Golden made DLC is also quite tough and (reasonably) resistant to scratches.

I also remember somewhere in a thread someone discussing rust under coating . I believe it was possibly a Shaman ( could be wrong ) in M4 steel . I think owner was California near Saltwater environment. I don’t have many black blades myself but do like the added personality over time and resistance to corrosion if needed foe steels or environment. MG2

This actually predates that by years. Wish I could remember that thread. It was probably 10 years ago.

[JRinFL]

I could swear I read on here once that rust can form underneath DLC, but the latest belief is that it's bonded to the steel and rust can't form under it. I can't speak on the coating that Japan uses, but the Golden made DLC is also quite tough and (reasonably) resistant to scratches.

I also remember somewhere in a thread someone discussing rust under coating . I believe it was possibly a Shaman ( could be wrong ) in M4 steel . I think owner was California near Saltwater environment. I don’t have many black blades myself but do like the added personality over time and resistance to corrosion if needed foe steels or environment. MG2

This actually predates that by years. Wish I could remember that thread. It was probably 10 years ago.

I remember it as well, but can't say more than that.

[Mushroom]

The DLC coating can definitely aid in corrosion prevention. DLC is porous and rust can still develop through those micro sized pores. That porousness also lends to the ability to trap oils and corrosion inhibitors very well.

This is why oiling a DLC coating gives it that fresh new look, because it’s not so dry anymore and holding the oil.

[vivi]

I recently lost my Para 3 G10 s30 knife while on vacation. I loved that knife and want to replace it with another Para 3 G10.
I see that it comes in either the satin finish (like my previous knife) or a blade blade. I was wondering if there is any difference in rust resistance with the black blade over the satin finish?
If anyone here has knowledge of this, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks-

DLC aids in corrosion resistance, though it does not make a blade impervious to rust.

DLC stainless steels can be close to that point though. They are very hard to rust. I have carried DLC S30V in very demanding conditions and the one and only time I made it rust you can read about here: viewtopic.php?p=1527334


You should also check out this thread. It's one where I intentionally abuse a DLC M4 Manix. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87786

[vivi]

IIRC, vivi has stated more than once that the DLC coating enhances corrosion resistance significantly. In addition, all the current DLC-bladed knives have liners and other hardware that are black-coated (though not with DLC), that also protects those parts, which are more vulnerable to hidden corrosion than the blades themselves. Of course, areas that would remain uncoated in the current DLC models are the edge bevels and the lock mating surfaces on the blades.

Even so, I still treat my DLC blades as if they are uncoated stainless, meaning I rinse and/or wipe the blade after use.

Jim

the coated hardware is a very big deal. for me blades are pretty easy to maintain, but keeping liners, pivot screws etc. corrosion free is a nightmare. Coated hardware and liners have been impervious to rust for me so far. That's the main reason I often buy black blade knives (yojumbo, military, manix xl etc.) instead of satin.

[JSumm]

That is a good point about coated liners and hardware. I prefer uncoated blades, but do wish the liners and hardware were coated. Worst rust I've experienced has been on the liners (skeletonized) in between the cutouts we're stuff sits unnoticed.

[ladybug93]

i've personally seen rust under whatever coating sog uses on their trident. it wasn't my knife, but i did see it and it surprised me. i've not seen it personally on spyderco knives, but that certainly doesn't mean it can't happen.
i would just always assume it's possible for a steel to rust, unless it's part of the salt series, and even then you might run into some form of manageable corrosion. whether a blade is coated or not, i'd be more worried about edge degradation due to minor corrosion more than the knife rusting because you don't realize it's happening when it's just the edge.

[nonstainless]

Choose the one you like better and enjoy it, S30v is rust resistant enough.
Although I like nonstainless better (no surprise ) I go for dlc only if the particular model isn't available in uncoated version.

[Snacktime]

I like dlc liners, blades I can live with. I mostly stick to tool steels if I'm getting dlc as it compliments the steel more (why coat stainless?). Only issue with dlc is the compression lock is not as smooth.

I will say that for a daily use knife I like shiny and bright so I don't lose it when I set the knife down. As far as para 3 goes I would stay simple, blade geometry is perfect with s30v.

[James Y]

Interestingly enough, I haven't noticed any difference in smoothness of my compression locks between DLC and satin versions. In fact, my smoothest comp lock out of the box has been my DLC S45VN Para 3.

Some ask, why buy a DLC-coated stainless blade? Because if it's not H1/H2, stainless is just that: It stains less. It doesn't mean rustproof, especially in certain conditions.

Jim

[vivi]

(why coat stainless?).

I used to think the same thing.



I don't wonder any more.

Compare the coated part of the blade to the uncoated part. I think this image justifies coating stainless blades.

[ladybug93]

also, it looks cool.

[z1r]

(why coat stainless?).

I used to think the same thing.



I don't wonder any more.

Compare the coated part of the blade to the uncoated part. I think this image justifies coating stainless blades.

A picture worth a 1000 words!