DDR Venturi Bowie [DLC Coated]

[ExamonLyf]

Pictures a little late.., but a fun story anyway.

To preface.., thanks Darrel.., really beautiful piece of work, and as always.., it's appreciated. Mr. Gollnick also did a very informative and comprehensive write up and some pictures on his site I will link you guys to..., and after reading the text about DLC I got curious about the difference between "Boron Carbide" coating.., and what BodyKote has trade marked "DLC" and/or "Diamond Black".

Well.., like a fool.., I called BodyKote....., and boy what a bunch of nice people they are. As many of you know they are a huge outfit, but the folks most knowledgeable about this particular process are in Greensborough, North Carolina, and they hooked me up with a real true-life metalurgist.

Not being a metalugist, of course I was looking for a layman's sort of differential that I could share.., and even had my handy little Sony ICD-67 Recorder ready to verbalize the notes I wrote.

Long story short..., some guy is going to call me back that can "dumb-it-down" about 12 nothces....lol... 8o :confused:

Anyway.., here's some attempts at pictures.., and what I learned so far. The poor man I talked to gave it his best shot.., but there are more acronyms in the world of exotic coatings than I ever want to hear again ever 0] .., so here we go.., complete with my little recorder that is now full of information totally foreign to me.... 8o

[ExamonLyf]

For me.., this is a difficult knife to photograph, but the satin finished blade and mirrored high-spots on the Type A handles are really incredibly aesthetic.., and the knife moves flawlessly....

As mentioned previously.., any fault in finish will be highlighted by this beautiful and functional coating (whatever the Hell it is...lol), but the level of detail and artistic impression speak loudly for themselves!

[ExamonLyf]

So.., my lessons for today after talking to "The Real Guys" about DLC..., are that (1)..., it's very very hard stuff..., and well over 80 when "Rock'd".., and (2)..., the oxidation you see on the 1095 Machete blade laying under the Venturi will [NEVER - EVER] occur if coated with DLC...:cool: ..., although that blade was crafted by a pretty special "Bladesmith"..



The pure Chemistry involved in the development of this coating is obviously beyond my ability to explain with meaning.., but when I hear back from BodyKote.., I'll certainly share what's within the realm of reason for us knife-nuts. Very very nice people!

You can see Chuck's site review -HERE-.., and it also has many more detailed pictures. His knife has the "TAC-II" Handles.., which are also very nice.., and "grippy" for manipulations. I prefer the "Type A" aesthetically.., but both are a very nice additions to accompany the "Dragon Handles" that Darrel also does.

Thanks again Darrel for a great knife. Incredible attention to detail!!

[crosman177]

Very nice.

[ZENGHOST]

Great knife and great pics, Pete. Chuck's review mentioned an area where the coating rubbed off from latch wear--I was a little surprised by this since I thought that the coating was extremely durable. Any thoughts on this?

[SharpByCoop]

Now THAT is one gorgeous bali. Great score, Pete!!!

Coop

[nybble]

great score! That looks so cool, I want to bodycote all my knives. Nice job on those pics, it's not easy to capture glossy black like that. Chuck, of course, also did an excellent job - but that's no surprise his pics are always great!

Mind if I snake some of those pics for my site?

[ExamonLyf]

Originally posted by nybble
Mind if I snake some of those pics for my site?

Sure Felix.., you can take any of my pictures for your site, no need to ask....

[Darrel Ralph]

Pete,
Thanks for the great talk on the DLC Bali.
Please remember that the coating is as tough as the base material. It is scratch resistant, not scratch proof.
ENJOY!

[ExamonLyf]

Originally posted by Darrel Ralph
Please remember that the coating is as tough as the base material. It is scratch resistant, not scratch proof.

Thanks Darrel.., and Zen..., I saw that area in Chuck's pictures also (where the coating had worn off). I suppose Darrel just answered that component by the relational aspects of the hardness of the 6AL4V handles themselves. None of the DLC has worn off at the latch-corner yet on mine, but I usually expect that to happen with time and manipulation since the substance is a "surface coating", and not a penetrant.

The stuff sure is pretty! A very elegant look that is hard to capture in a photo. The contrast between the raised carving (which is mirror finished).., and the underlying design created by the carving is really unique in eye-appeal.

I was hoping I could catch that a little better with the camera, but I'll try again when I can

[FivePointOh]

Man, that a great lookin' bali ya got there Pete!
Great lookin' pix too.

[whv]

nice score, pete, as well as the pics.
thanx