Stonewash
Blades with a stonewash finish have a rustic yet fine, high-quality surface created by means of controlled scratching. The blade is "washed" inside a drum containing different types of stones. The scraping and falling stones create the desired effect The advantage of this purposefully created look is a heightened resistance to scratches and signs of wear and tear. On a polished blade, such flaws would be rather conspicuous, marring the overall appearance of the knife. Blades with a stonewash finish are particularly common in tactical knives, also because they have less of a sheen. They are a very popular choice for outdoor knives, thanks to their rugged appearance. Even cooking knives now have blades with a stonewash finish.