Pocket clip coatings, a fair question.

[Roan]

I was in the midst of taking a photo of my Schempp pair when I noticed something interesting. I'm used to fair wear and tear with pocket clips; they rub on stuff and get scratched / lose paint etc.

But It has become quite obvious to me now that their is a huuuuge difference in pocket clip coating qualities, I assume between different manufacturing origins.

The Navaja, one of my first ever Spyderco's, has had a large share of pocket time in the last 2 years. Manufactured in Taiwan, the F&F on this knife is outstanding. It's had enough pocket time to put a whole lot of scratches on the soft stainless bolsters.
However, observe the pocket clip after a share of 2 years worth of EDC.


And the Persian 2, purchased just a few months ago. Japanese manufacture. Much less Pocket time than the Navaja. Still an excellent F&F the back spacer lines up so well you would think it's 1 solid piece of polished stainless.
... but the pocket clip coating is severely worn already. (click the pic to see the full res for more detail)



Whats going on? Does Japan use cheaper paint? The Taiwanese clip looks to have some sort of baked on powdercoat as opposed to thin paint.
Any thoughts?
I'd love to be able to get a new Persian clip with the same coat as the Navaja.

[Mick]

I've noticed the difference in wear on some of the clips, as well, but since I take all my Spydie clips off and put a scotch-brite finish on them it's not really an issue for me.

[nightburn]

I'm surprised they don't use the same coating as they do on DLC coated blades, on the clips. There is probably a reason I'm overlooking. Cost? However, spyderco's DLC seems highly durable in my experience.

[The Deacon]

I'm surprised they don't use the same coating as they do on DLC coated blades, on the clips. There is probably a reason I'm overlooking. Cost? However, spyderco's DLC seems highly durable in my experience.

Cost may be a factor, but the Japanese made Spydercos don't use DLC on the blades either, so that may be another.

[Evil D]

I posted about this a while back. The coating on my DLC Para 2 clip seems indestructible. It's scratched like any other clip but not down to the metal yet. It's almost like a super strong electroplate.

[xceptnl]

Roan, I have notice a similar change on clips from some other manufacturers. Another of my Japanese made knives EL Hombre (CS) has a similar clip discoloration to your Persian. It almost seems like a gun blueing and I like the way it has worn only because it looks unique and gives character. The coating is obviously a thinner finish due to the sheen visible on the Persians clip. Less of the steel finish seems to show up on the Navaja

[Michael Janich]

I don't know all the details regarding our clips, but in general terms not all coatings are available in all countries. DLC is a process that belongs to IonBond, so it's only available from their facilities.

Cost is also a huge factor. Coatings are factored into the production cost of a knife and that cost is used to determine final MSRP. In my previous employment, coating choices had a huge impact on MSRP and could quickly make a $100 knife into a $150 knife. I don't believe most people would welcome a significant price increase on a working knife to get a higher speed coating on the clip.

With all that said, I'm fascinated by coatings and try to understand them as thoroughly as possible so I can represent our products to the military and other operationally focused end users. I also hope to learn more about the options and differences.

Stay safe,

Mike

[Evil D]

Well, for what it's worth, anyone interested who wants a great wearing black hourglass clip, call them up and ask for the DLC Para 2 clip. Here's a pic of mine after about 4 months of constant EDC. The edges are reflecting light...not chipped away. In some spots where the most wear is, it's almost a gray color, but not wore through to the silver metal yet. It almost seems like the metal itself is a gunmetal/black color and there's no coating at all.

[mikerestivo]

I am guessing that the clips that aren't showing wear (the gunmetal clips) are anodized. Does anyone know for sure?

[Roan]

Anyone rocking the Navaja will testify that the clip coating it's a whole different beast to any other.It doesn't scratch or seem to wear at all. It appears to be a quite thick coating, Alot like a powdercoat but more solid. It's gloss, not anything like the blade DLC. As i mentioned in the OP, the stainless bolsters are showing quite alot of wear but the clip is pristine.
The Japanese clips tend to quickly discolour as xceptnl mentioned, but not really scratch too bad.
The US clips lose paint and show the original silver, But seem to retain the coating longer than the Japanese knives.