Coated Stainless: Another Silly Question.

[jmforge]

So I have been seeing a number of the "high speed, low drag" type tactical knives for years that are made from stainless super steels like S30V, S35VN, Elmax, etc. The maker/manufacturer picks a very expensive PM stainless steel and then puts a coating on it. Why? Why not pick something that is tougher but has good abrasion resitance like say CPM 4V/Vanadis 4E, CPM M4, CPM 3V, ZWear, etc? Why would you give up the extra toughness in a hard use blade for corrosion resistance if you are going to coat the blade with a corrosion resistant substance? Just being that contrary old get off my lawn guy.

 

[tmr]

maybe they are using the coating to take the shine/reflection off the blade for stealth purpose

 

[Taz575]

The coatings also usually make the blade less susceptible to scratches and stuff on the surface, as well as darkening the surface. DLC and PVD coatings are extremely hard.

 

[52 Ford]

The coatings also usually make the blade less susceptible to scratches and stuff on the surface, as well as darkening the surface. DLC and PVD coatings are extremely hard.

Like titanium nitride coatings on twist drills and milling cutters.

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[bladegrinder]

I think it's mostly all marketing. some coatings like Cerakote are nice. as to doing it, I've never done it to a knife and don't really have an opinion.
it's certainly not for every style knife but it's all in the eye of the beholder.

 

[jmforge]

Like titanium nitride coatings on twist drills and milling cutters.

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I think that might be done fro something like abrasion resitance.

 

[jmforge]

The coatings also usually make the blade less susceptible to scratches and stuff on the surface, as well as darkening the surface. DLC and PVD coatings are extremely hard.

Until you scratch off the coating.

 

[jmforge]

I think it's mostly all marketing. some coatings like Cerakote are nice. as to doing it, I've never done it to a knife and don't really have an opinion.
it's certainly not for every style knife but it's all in the eye of the beholder.

Some of the coatings are kind of thick. I have heard some complain that the effect the cutting ability.

 

[Mister Coffee]

I never saw a knife coating that didn't wear off, usually in very attractive way.