Why is Predator Blackout Black?

4. dubna 2019

The first answer to this question could be that it is primarily a matter of design, however this is not the case. In fact, the sleek black blade design is just a side effect of the DLC coating that covers all the metal parts of the knife. And while DLC coatings are produced in other colors, black is the primary color.

The diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating is composed of carbon, which is either configured as graphene (in the sp2 configuration) and has excellent sliding properties or is configured as a diamond (in the sp3 configuration), providing hardness (microhardness over 30 Gpa).

The properties of the DLC coating predestined it to be used in stressed cutting tools, where it also came to knives. For them, especially hunters will appreciate the low light reflectance, which is 4 %, so there is no risk of hunting due to the reflection of the blade.

But by far the list of positive features of the DLC does not stop there. The knife with this layer has a high surface tension so that no dirt adheres to it and, in particular, the DLC coating is entirely corrosion resistant. The coating cannot be practically removed from the knife, only by costly plasma etching methods and is therefore resistant to solvents and caustics.

Meanwhile, Mikov has also launched the DLC Luxury Pocket Knife in addition to Predator Blackout. The reason is, among other things, that the exceptional features of such modified knives are balanced by a relatively significant price increase. Therefore, Predator Blackout is double the amount of Predator Stonewash, which is made from the same blade N 690. The standard user does not know the difference, but Predator Blackout is very popular among customers for its design and high quality approach to its detailed production.