heavision 2 #1 Posted December 15, 2020 I'm just wondering what people think about the black hardware option: how long does last? Think it's worth the upcharge? Any considerations with it other than asthetics? Thanks y'all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nwt 131 #2 December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, heavision said: I'm just wondering what people think about the black hardware option: how long does last? Think it's worth the upcharge? Any considerations with it other than asthetics? Thanks y'all! I'm leaning toward getting it on mine. It's purely aesthetic. The sales rep told me it can wear through from friction over time but won't flake off (I specifically asked about flaking). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenzdik96 26 #3 December 16, 2020 Coating is probably black oxide, which means it wont flake, but it can wear over time. It does not weaken the material in any way, but it also doesn't improve it in any way, so I would treat it as purely aesthetic. Do take into account that wear will not be uniform so after a couple of years, you might see some spottiness in the black hardware (which will probably impact your aesthetics negatively). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy2005 51 #4 December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Kenzdik96 said: .... Do take into account that wear will not be uniform so after a couple of years, you might see some spottiness in the black hardware (which will probably impact your aesthetics negatively). ...or give it the "Battle Worn" look that is popular in the aftermarket for firearms. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nwt 131 #5 December 16, 2020 8 hours ago, NewGuy2005 said: ...or give it the "Battle Worn" look that is popular in the aftermarket for firearms. Yeah, I actually like that look. I have a black titanium field watch with a nice "patina" on it and I love it. Flaking not so much, which is why I asked. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavision 2 #6 December 17, 2020 Anybody got pictures? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cocowheats 10 #7 December 22, 2020 You should reach out to the manufacturer and ask what is the specific finish. If it's simply a black oxide finish, then the advantages are mostly cosmetic. If it is a nitride finish, then even after the black finish is worn away, the metal beneath will be far more rust resistant than the original metal before the nitride treatment. Might not all be cosmetic... depending what the finish really is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FataMorgana 0 #8 December 22, 2020 Here are some pictures of the black hardware from UPT (Vector) after 5 years of jumping and ~1000 jumps. It still does look cool IMHO. Also, there is absolutely no damage to the webbing that came in contact with the oxidized surface of the hardware. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nwt 131 #9 December 22, 2020 13 hours ago, Cocowheats said: You should reach out to the manufacturer and ask what is the specific finish. If it's simply a black oxide finish, then the advantages are mostly cosmetic. If it is a nitride finish, then even after the black finish is worn away, the metal beneath will be far more rust resistant than the original metal before the nitride treatment. Might not all be cosmetic... depending what the finish really is. It's stainless steel. I'd expect it to outlast the rest of the rig, coated or not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenzdik96 26 #10 December 22, 2020 2 hours ago, nwt said: It's stainless steel. I'd expect it to outlast the rest of the rig, coated or not. You would think so, but I have seen some rigs (15+ years old) where the hardware seemed almost destroyed, if I had to guess, I would say rings looked like they were exposed to salt water and corroded because of it. I have also seen 20+ year old rigs where hardware looked new. I don't know if some manufacturers use something other than stainless for the rings? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,097 #11 December 22, 2020 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Kenzdik96 said: You would think so, but I have seen some rigs (15+ years old) where the hardware seemed almost destroyed, if I had to guess, I would say rings looked like they were exposed to salt water and corroded because of it. I have also seen 20+ year old rigs where hardware looked new. I don't know if some manufacturers use something other than stainless for the rings? I have seen rigs with cadmium plated hardware ruined by rust. This was the standard type used for many years. The plating resists rust, but not in all conditions. It can also wear off and leave the steel underneath exposed. I have not yet seen rusty stainless steel on a rig. But i'm sure it can happen in some environments. I have also seen the black plating wear off a little, particularly on the large riser ring where it rubs on the middle ring. It is typically hard to see, it doesn't stand out. Overall the black coating, whatever it is, seems to be pretty long lasting. Edited December 22, 2020 by gowlerk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cocowheats 10 #12 December 26, 2020 (edited) Keep in mind that not all stainless steel is created equally. There are many types of steel that fall under the stainless category. There are many other factors too, like the heat treating process. Same steel heat treated two different ways can produce vastly different results. Again, a nitride/melonite finish is not only be cosmetic, but also gives the hardware additional strengths, like far better corrosion resistantance, even on the metal under the black top coat. Edited December 26, 2020 by Cocowheats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
