Blade coating
PVD coating
In the PVD technique, the desired coating material is brought into a gaseous state and applied to the blade. After the material condenses, it forms the desired layer. The coating ensures that the blade does not wear out too quickly and at the same time gives it corrosion resistance and improved hardness. PVD-coated blades also have better gliding properties because of their lower friction coefficient. Typical materials often used for PVD coatings are titanium carbonitride (TiCN), titanium nitride (TiN) and titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN).
Stonewash
In contrast to PVD or DLC, the term stonewash does not refer to a coating, but rather describes the treated surface of the knife blade. In the stonewash process, the blade or knife is placed in a so-called agitator, which is filled with stones. This can be compared to a washing machine, which spins the knife as well as the stones around, which grinds the surface of the blade from the stones. This gives it a completely different look that conveys robustness and stability to the outside world. Any scratches that occur when using the knife are then no longer noticeable at all, which means that the cool look of the knife remains.
Black-Stonewash
Black stonewash coating is a variation of stonewash coating. Through a special process, the stainless steel is blackened and then subjected to a treatment similar to stonewash. In this process, the knife is "washed" with stones in a drum, which creates a used look that has become very popular in recent years. The size of the stones and the processing time can vary to achieve different results. The advantage of this is that an improved resistance to corrosion is achieved which is particularly desirable for use in difficult weather conditions. Another side effect is that scratches are far more unnoticeable than with other coatings. This makes this type of coating not only something for hunters or soldiers, but for every outdoor enthusiast.
Cerakote coating
Cerakote coating is a ceramic-based high-temperature coating that is cured in a furnace after application. This form of coating has been used for years to surface treat firearms and has now also arrived among knife manufacturers. It offers excellent corrosion protection as well as extreme hardness. The result is a high abrasion resistance, which makes scratches very difficult to get into the material. The increasing popularity is based, among other things, on the wide range of colours and the enormous freedom of design, as combinations of several colours as well as the design of patterns are also possible.
DLC-coating
DLC coating is a type of surface treatment in which a micrometre-thick layer of carbon is placed on the blade. This is called "amorphous", which means that it is structureless and glass-like. In the diamond-like coating process, countless diamonds are formed, which are embedded in graphite. This process takes several hours to complete. The appearance depends mainly on the surface texture. High-gloss surfaces become deep black and glossy with this type of coating, while sandblasted surfaces become anthracite in colour. On ground surfaces, the grinding pattern becomes visible as a black or grey tone. Damascus knives can also be refined in this way. The coating leads to a high resistance to acids, bases and other aggressive substances. Another advantage is the very high corrosion protection, which makes rusting steels almost impossible. The high hardness of the coating also makes the surface insensitive to scratches. After coating, the knife is distinguished by its unique aesthetics.
Matted surface
The matt or sand-blasted ("glass-bead blasted") surface is matt, just like the satin-finished surface. Here, the knife is "shot" with beads by compressed air. This causes the harder beads to leave countless small dents. When light falls on the knife, it is no longer reflected but refracted and the material therefore appears matt. By varying the size of the beads and the material, different surfaces can be created. Large beads leave a rougher and darker surface. Small beads, on the other hand, have an almost shiny matt surface. Since a rougher finish is already present from the beginning, scratches and fingerprints are not as noticeable. Here, too, the knife needs more care, as the larger surface means that some protection against corrosion is lost.
Polished surfaces
Using sandpaper, a polishing wheel and paste, knives are given a mirror finish. First, the surface is sanded with increasingly fine sandpaper. Then the abrasive paste is applied to the polishing wheel and the knife is polished with it. The result is a shiny and mirror-like surface, which has increased corrosion protection. This type of surface is popular because of its noble appearance. One disadvantage, however, is that fingerprints quickly remain on the metal, which can also cause rust if not cared for properly.
Satin finished
By satin-finishing surfaces, they are made matt. The appearance ranges from matt to matt-glossy, whereby a much more even surface is created than with sanding. Colloquially, this process is also called "brushing". You can imagine the surface as if it were covered with countless small strokes, which are permanently visible. This has the advantage that most scratches blend in and do not stand out in a disturbing way. Fingerprints are also no problem due to the matt surface. The disadvantage is that rusting types of steel require more care, as the uneven surface reduces the corrosion protection.
Titanium-nitride coating
The titanium nitride coating is mainly used for tool steel for drills etc. but has also found its way into knives. In this process, titanium atoms are extracted from a material and provided with nitrogen atoms. These then bond with the knife through differences in charge. The result is a very thin gold-coloured coating. The coating has a very high wear protection and scratch resistance. In addition, titanium nitride is known for its bio-compatibility, which ensures that no substances are released during the preparation of food and end up in the cut food. This property makes it completely safe to use this type of coating on chef's knives. The good non-stick properties are also a nice advantage and make work easier. Due to its excellent temperature resistance, it also protects the knife from heat stress up to a certain point.