How to clean DLC? --> Paramilitary 2 thoughts

Roundabout136 · #1

My god I love this knife. I've EDC'd it for a month now, simply perfection in my opinion. My brother's Sage 1 is a close second.

I choose the black/black version for the strong DLC coating / ability to conceal easily. I took the entire knife apart, which was extremely easy...and cleaned everything but the blade itself didn't clean up well.

I'm 95% sure the marks on the coating aren't scratches or wear, I think just staining. Anyone have any good around the house items to clean it up with?

-Adam

wingman_214 · #2

I wish I didn't get the black blade on mine because it scratches. Otherwise I clean mine with soap and a soft towel.

Roundabout136 · #3

Just tried the soap and water/towel idea. Worked pretty good I guess that's kind of common sense.

But to my luck there are some scratches on it that didn't go away, they don't go all the way through the coating but they show wear on it.

Thanks!

If anyone else has any ideas feel free to post

ChapmanPreferred · #4

I have used balistol on a co-worker's Para 1 SE with good results. It also stayed a little darker black for a while as well. His scratches seemed to be kind of copper colored.

sharpguitarist · #5

hey guys,
i have a para 1 with the black blade.
on mine, most of the "scratches" are really deposits left by things that come in contact with the blade while being carried - copper from jeans rivets and rubbing against the flashlight i carry in the same pocket.
i wash with soap, usually dawn, and warm water, then wipe down with wd40, then finish with a light coat of either breakfree, tuffglide, or mineral oil.
my blade is still virtually unscathed after over a year of edc.
later,
don

Tdog · #6

I wonder if the flat black touch-up pens made by Birchwood Casey for guns would cover scratches if they are thru the DLC? Don't know how the color would match? Gotta say I haven't used/carried my Para 2 w/DLC too much. Seem to carry the black g-10 plain blade or grey cts-20 more often.

salimoneus · #7

Was never a fan of painted blades, they always scratch and get marked so quickly. Maybe great for military use or non-user collectible but otherwise the polished blades are such a breeze to maintain in comparison.

angusW · #8

WD40 works well on my BB Para 2 blade. I thought there were scratches in the coating but after using WD40 95% of them went away.

amue · #9

WD-40 + the rough side of a sponge is a great combination for rubbing off stains of DLC. Just make sure you dont hit the edge with the sponge, cause it will dull it.

Michael Janich · #10

Tdog wrote:I wonder if the flat black touch-up pens made by Birchwood Casey for guns would cover scratches if they are thru the DLC? Don't know how the color would match? Gotta say I haven't used/carried my Para 2 w/DLC too much. Seem to carry the black g-10 plain blade or grey cts-20 more often.

No, they don't work very well. Unlike DLC, which is ionically bonded to the steel, they ARE a paint-on coating. They have much greater thickness and are much softer. They also appear darker black than DLC, so the touch ups stand out.

DLC is actually harder than the underlying steel. As the "diamond-like" quality of it indicates, it approximates the hardness of diamond, so it is difficult to wear or scratch through it.

Masters of Defense knives (now basically defunct) used DLC coating on almost of all its blades. That service was provided by the same folks that do Spyderco's. I saw hundreds of MOD knives that had seen extensive field use and personally performed repairs on a significant number of them. In most cases, what appeared to be scratches were deposits of other materials on the DLC. In extreme cases, the DLC coating was worn and the abrasions/scratches did expose the underlying steel, but those were the exceptions.

Jim Ray, founder of MOD, spent a long time searching for the ultimate conditioning oil for DLC. He found that LPS TKX non-drying spray lubricant worked the best. Spray it on or saturate a soft cloth and wipe it on generously. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then wipe it off. It provides a deep luster to the coating and conceals any minor scuffs. It's also great for removing any goo that may stick to the blade from cutting chores. LPS TKX also works great on TICN coatings.

With all that said, please remember that the primary reason for blade coatings is to reduce the reflective properties of the steel. Shiny things draw all the wrong kinds of attention in a military environment and tend to get people shot. However, like anything else intended to be used in a military environment, coated blades are not immune to wear.

If maintaining a the pristine appearance of your knife is important to you, coated blades are probably not the best choice. DLC is much more reslient than TICN, Teflon, and Epoxy Powder Coat, but it is not immune to wear.

I hope this helps.

Stay safe,

Mike

TBob · #11

Great note, Mike, thanks! I just use soap and water with a dish rag to clean my BB Endura. I've used it to cut pork ribs on the BBQ, and it cleaned up great that way. I also used it to cut down vines and small saplings around the yard. Haven't noticed any wear in the coating.

BAL · #12

Mike, Thanks for the tip on the LPS TKX. I haven't heard of it, but will definately give it a try. If anyone out there is interested, I just did a google search and see where you can get a 55 gallon drum of the stuff for just $1699.07 which is some $424.77 cheaper than regular price. I may opt for the smaller spray can, but thought that I would mention it. Besides, this gives me a good excuse to tell the wife on why I am ordering another Para 2, this time a Digi-Black.

Roundabout136 · #13

Thanks for all the responses. I will try some WD-40 and report back

Tdog · #14

Thanks Mike, for sharing your knowledge and experience. I don't buy too many coated blades but had to make an exception for the digicam with the DLC. It's just tooooo fine! One day I'll gift this to my son who is a Deputy. For me, the Para 2's are one of my nicest folders made......dern near perfection. Looking forward to the Blue M390.

angusW · #15

Thanks for the tip Mike. We use to use LPS 1, 2 and 3 at work but stopped due to the fumes being unhealthy. Now we use Brodi 5in1 which seems to have similiar qualities to the TKX. When I get back to work next week I'm going to try it out.

MachSchnell · #16

Toothpaste works wonders!

Mine looks brand new again. :cool:

Probably going to sell it though.

datoudaw · #17

Michael Janich wrote: Jim Ray, founder of MOD, spent a long time searching for the ultimate conditioning oil for DLC. He found that LPS TKX non-drying spray lubricant worked the best. Spray it on or saturate a soft cloth and wipe it on generously. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then wipe it off. It provides a deep luster to the coating and conceals any minor scuffs. It's also great for removing any goo that may stick to the blade from cutting chores. LPS TKX also works great on TICN coatings.

Hi, Mike, Do you know each of the thickness of DLC coating for MOD and for Spyderco knives?

PARATOM · #18

I have never tried WD-40 on mine

I would highly recommend Break Free CLP, it's a cleaner, lubricant, and protectant. I use it for my firearms, and I thought I would give it a try on the DLC on my PM2 and it worked really well, just use a microfiber rag.

You can get this stuff at WalMart too! I need a new can!!!!!

TBob · #19

PARATOM wrote:I have never tried WD-40 on mine

I would highly recommend Break Free CLP, it's a cleaner, lubricant, and protectant. I use it for my firearms, and I thought I would give it a try on the DLC on my PM2 and it worked really well, just use a microfiber rag.

You can get this stuff at WalMart too! I need a new can!!!!!

Except that CLP is classified as a hazardous material by the military. I believe that the instructions said not to get it on your skin. Not something I'd put on my knives or my firearms.

PARATOM · #20

TBob wrote:Except that CLP is classified as a hazardous material by the military. I believe that the instructions said not to get it on your skin. Not something I'd put on my knives or my firearms.

I have been using that product for over 3 years and i have never had any problems. No skin irritation, no throat irritation, no eye irritation. Just wash your hands after you use it (which i hope you do after using any cleaning products)

The only outcome i get from that product it great looking and performing firearms and knifes.

Just used it today to clean my dlc on my pm2 and it looks great.

I wouldn't recommend cutting food after though...