OTF Blade Finishes, Explained: DLC vs PVD vs Cerakote vs Stonewash (and What Actually Matters)

If you’re choosing an OTF, the blade finish isn’t just about looks. The right OTF blade finish can cut glare, resist corrosion, reduce drag through material, and even influence how long your edge resists micro‑chipping. Below, we break down the finishes and coatings you’ll actually see—what they are, how they behave in real use, and how to pick the right one for daily carry, rescue, or duty.

Coating, finish, or treatment? Know the difference

• Coatings are applied films that add properties to the surface. Examples: DLC (diamond‑like carbon), PVD nitride coatings (TiN, TiCN, TiAlN), and ceramic‑polymer coatings like Cerakote. They can reduce friction, darken the blade, and improve wear or corrosion resistance depending on chemistry and thickness.

  

• Finishes are textures created by mechanical processes. Examples: satin (abrasive belt lines) and stonewash (tumbled/vibratory finishing). They don’t add a new material; they change surface roughness and visual character.

• Treatments convert or alter the surface of the base steel. Example: black oxide for ferrous metals is a conversion layer that reduces reflectivity but, by itself, offers only mild corrosion protection and typically needs oil or wax.

  

This distinction matters because coatings can chip or wear, finishes will “patina” rather than flake, and treatments sit somewhere in between.

DLC: ultra‑low friction, hard, and dark

DLC is a family of carbon coatings engineered for extreme wear and low friction. In independent and manufacturer data, DLC commonly shows very low dry coefficients of friction (~0.1–0.2) and high hardness in thin films, which helps blades glide through material and shrug off adhesive wear. DLC is typically 1–5 μm thick and applied by PACVD or related processes; hardness varies widely by chemistry (a‑C:H vs ta‑C) and stack design. That’s the practical headline: a quality DLC on a good steel can reduce stiction in dense cardboard, minimize galling when cutting plastics, and keep the blade stealth‑dark without reflective hotspots. See Oerlikon’s specs for representative friction and hardness ranges and application notes. [Source: Oerlikon Balzers DLC specs; overview of DLC coating families.] (https://www.oerlikon.com/balzers/global/en/portfolio/balzers-surface-solutions/pvd-and-pacvd-based-coating-solutions/balinit/carbon-dlc-based/balinit-dlc/?tab=specifications_11) (https://www.oerlikon.com/balzers/global/en/portfolio/balzers-surface-solutions/pvd-and-pacvd-based-coating-solutions/balinit/dlc-coatings-and-other-carbon-based-coatings/)

Pros:

• Very low friction for smooth cutting and easier cleaning of tape residue.
• High wear resistance in thin layers without adding thickness that binds in the OTF window.
• Deep black, low‑glare appearance.

Watch‑outs:

• Not all DLC is equal; variants and deposition parameters change hardness, adhesion, and service temperature.
• Edge microbevels that are later sharpened will expose bare steel at the apex; that’s normal for any coating.

PVD nitrides: TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, and friends

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) can apply extremely thin, hard ceramic coatings—often gold (TiN), gray/blue (TiCN), or dark violet/charcoal (TiAlN)—at temperatures that preserve blade heat treat. Like DLC, these films are thin (often <5 μm), hard, and low‑friction, with color tied to chemistry. For OTFs, PVD’s advantage is durable color and abrasion resistance without dimensional change that could hamper deployment. Representative industrial references note PVD coatings are applied at roughly 200–500 °C and can be tuned for wear, lubricity, and corrosion performance. [Source: Oerlikon Balzers on PVD operating ranges and properties.] (https://www.oerlikon.com/balzers/global/en/media/articles/extending-the-life-of-precision-components/)

Pros:

• Attractive, durable colors with real wear benefits.
• Thin layers preserve clearances in double‑action mechanisms.

Watch‑outs:

• Some bright PVD colors can be more reflective than matte DLC or stonewash.
• As with DLC, once you sharpen, the very edge will be uncoated.

Cerakote: ceramic‑polymer durability and standout corrosion protection

Cerakote is a thin‑film ceramic‑polymer coating baked onto the blade. Independent labs and vendor tests using standard methods (ASTM B117 salt‑fog; ASTM D4060 abrasion) show strong corrosion and abrasion performance for modern Cerakote series, with published results exceeding 2,000–3,000 hours in salt‑spray for certain formulas and high Taber abrasion cycles compared to common firearm finishes. For users in humid, coastal, or sweaty environments, these numbers translate to fewer orange spots and longer cosmetic life—especially on high‑wear working blades. [Source: Cerakote product testing summaries and corrosion data.] (https://www.cerakoteeu.com/product-testing/) (https://www.cerakote.de/en/testing) (https://www.cerakote.de/en/cerakote-vs/corrosion)

Pros:

• Excellent corrosion‑barrier performance among thin coatings.
• Broad color palette and matte, non‑reflective options.

Watch‑outs:

• Slightly thicker than PVD/DLC; reputable applicators manage thickness, but very tight OTF windows should be verified.
• Abrasion will still wear high‑contact areas first (e.g., along the spine near the opening slot).

Black oxide: matte and low‑glare, but only mild protection alone

Black oxide chemically converts the surface of ferrous metals to a dark, low‑reflective layer. Military and industry references classify it as primarily cosmetic/anti‑glare with limited corrosion resistance unless supplemented by oil or wax. On knives, that means a subdued finish that looks great and cuts flash, but you’ll want to wipe it down and oil it, especially after sweaty carry or wet tasks. [Source: MIL‑DTL‑13924 summaries and guidance.] (https://www.anoplex.com/references/MIL-DTL-13924.html) (https://kikakumaster.com/mil-spec/mil-dtl-13924/)

Pros:

• Excellent glare control; classic duty look.
• No measurable dimensional buildup.

Watch‑outs:

• Needs oil/wax to provide meaningful corrosion protection.
• Will show wear on high‑contact edges sooner than hard coatings.

Satin vs stonewash: finishes, not coatings

Satin is produced by sanding or belt‑finishing the blade in one direction to create fine, visible lines. It’s easy to maintain cosmetically because you can re‑establish the grain with non‑woven abrasives, though it will reflect light more than matte options. Stonewash (a.k.a. tumbled or vibratory finish) is created by tumbling the blade in media; it hides scratches and breaks up glare because the micro‑texture diffuses reflections. These are mechanical finishes—no films added—so there’s nothing to chip. See general references on tumble and vibratory finishing for process background. [Source: Wikipedia on tumble/vibratory finishing; Osborn on satin finishing.] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumble_finishing) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibratory_finishing) (https://www.osborn.com/en-us/applications/polishing-satinizing/satin-finishing~a23282)

What about corrosion? Surface roughness and micro‑features can influence how and where pits initiate in chloride environments. Research indicates rougher surfaces provide more occluded sites where pits start and can sustain pit growth; polishing generally improves pitting potentials. In practice, stonewash’s micro‑texture can hide marks, but it doesn’t “protect” the steel—so steel choice and care still do the heavy lifting. [Source: peer‑reviewed studies on roughness and pitting behavior.] (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30836638/) (https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/12/5/738)

Which finish should you pick?

Use this quick matrix to decide based on environment and mission:

• Humid/coastal carry, sweaty work, or frequent food prep: Cerakote or high‑quality DLC/PVD plus a stainless steel with good pitting resistance. Cerakote’s barrier performance shines here; DLC/PVD add wear resistance and low friction.
• First‑responder or rescue where glare control matters: DLC, matte Cerakote, or black oxide for low reflectivity. Stonewash is decent, but can flash under direct light.
• Heavy cardboard, plastics, rope: DLC or TiCN/TiAlN help reduce drag and adhesive wear. A good satin can still cut great; you’ll just clean it more.
• Budget‑minded EDC that still looks good after use: Stonewash hides scuffs best and won’t chip because there’s no film to fracture.
• Collector or dress carry: Satin shows crisp lines and looks premium, but accept that it displays scratches sooner.

Think about maintenance: if you dislike babying blades, a stonewash or matte coating will look newer, longer.

Ready to choose?

See our current selection and filter by finish to find the right balance of stealth, durability, and maintenance for your carry:

• Browse the full lineup of OTFs and finishes in our collection. [Shop Uppercut Tactical OTF knives.] (https://uppercut-tactical.myshopify.com/collections/all)
• New to Uppercut Tactical? Start here and explore blades, steels, and finishes. [Visit the Uppercut Tactical home page.] (https://uppercut-tactical.myshopify.com)

However you carry—EDC, rescue, or duty—matching steel, geometry, and finish is how you get a knife that works harder and looks better for years.