Blade coatings?

What is the best way to make a fixed blade non reflective?

I have was thinking along the lines of the black coating used on Ka-bars. Also bead blasting is not an option as I am refering to carbon blades.

In the absence of specialized equipment for nitriding, powder coating, TI coating, and so on, satin finishing will take the sparkle off.

Don, sory I didn't make myself clear, I am looking for some type of bake on or paintable black coating for tac. knives, also carbon steels rust fairly easily with satin or bead blasted finishes and are still shinny.

I am not adverse to sending out for treatment, just wondering which would be best, the coating on Ka bars is an epoxy and is fairly durable.

What I am trying to come up with is a simple, nearly industructible, ugly hard use combat knife, something like a Kabar on steriods.

Also I am not a big fan of Ti. coatings.

Thanks.

If Rob will chime in here, he can probably point you in the right direction.

Boron Carbide, contact darrellGLewis@cs.com he does it for Kershaw, Benchmade and other companies. You can get either a matte (dull) or glossy finish.

I wouldn't necessarily rule out bead blasting completely if you are set up to do it. I know of several bladesmiths who have done bead blast finishes on forged carbon steel blades.

I'm almost positive that Don Fogg told me he once bead blasted or sand blasted a piece of his work I can't recall if it was a knife or a sword.

I've seen several bead blasted blades from J.R. Cook (another mastersmith) as well.

Try Brownell's. They have several bake on coatings, from baking lacquer to teflon moly coatings in a bunch of colors. I have used them all gunsmithing before I started knifemaking. They are easy to use and are fairley durable. If you are able to bead or aluminum oxide blast before coating they last better but a 100 to 150 grit finish works also. Also your friendly neighborhood kitchen oven is all you need to cure them. www.brownells.com/index.html
Good luck and have fun. Fish

Try Gun Kote- black & gray I think

Thanks for the info guys, I'll let you know how it goes, still got several orders to fill first.

satin finish and use "tool black" ..
its just another option...