TT AMT with Onyx Finish on Full Iron Set (4-GW) - Durability Question

[halliedog]

I tried reviving a 4 year old thread asking about the long-term durability of the Black Onyx finish on True Temper shafts, but its already sinking towards the 3rd page, so figured I'd try opening a new post.
I'm considering purchasing a set of 4-GW S300 AMT Whites with the Onyx finish to replace the TT Tour Concepts currently in my TM P770s. I'm not concerned with weight difference, how they play to flex, or the ascending weight, (compared to the Tour Concepts) only the durability of the black finish. I've googled, and can't really find any reliable info on what the "Onyx" finish is made from, and more importantly how durable?
I've had a few sets of forged irons stripped of the chrome plating and finished with Black Nitride (goes by other names depending on who does it, "DBM" from GolfWorks for example), and that is the most durable finish in my opinion, but not sure of the finished weight and flex change if I had a set of chrome iron shafts stripped and then treated with Black Nitride? I'm pretty sure Powder Coating or PVD would wear fairly quickly, so if this is the finish TT offers I'll probably pass.
I know the Onyx finish is primarily offered in Wedge shafts, but they did make a limited run in '16 or '17 of full sets, and I've found a source to get them. If anyone can help with the durability/composition question before I pull the trigger I'd greatly appreciate it!@TrueTemper, you've helped me out with questions about EvenFlow Whites in the past and your advice was spot-on, hopefully you can chime in with the definitive answer!

[Ger21]

Can't tell you about the durability, but I just bought a set from Ebay for cheap, probably the same ones you are looking at? They are supposedly powder coated, so they should be reasonably durable.

The tolerances on the some of the shafts I got were 2-3 grams out of spec, with some too heavy, and some too light. The 8 iron shaft was 5 grams too heavy, and was from a different batch?

I checked the balance points, and they all matched the specs.

For what I paid for them, though, I can't complain too much.

[halliedog]

Thanks for that Ger21. Probably the same ones! Kind of disturbing on the weight tolerances, but I guess for a 3-4 year old "limited run" set of shafts they are mixing/matching as best as they can.

Powder Coating is not one of the strongest finishes, so that makes me hesitate. Glad you have checked the balance points and they are on spec. Like you, for what they are selling for can't bitch too much about the weights not being spot-on. I guess I could try them and always pull and put in a backup set if they don't work out. Did the lengths at least come out to spec also? Also, these aren't weight sorted to the degree of the TIs, so some variance is to be expected I suppose. Also, since they are ascending weight, not a deal-breaker if the 8 iron is slightly heavier than spec, as long the rest correspond.

[Golfrnut]

I think it was on here that TT mentioned they changed their process on the coatings because the original onyx finish they were using was prone to chipping. I don’t know if the powder coating was a result of that or if it came later.

With regards to the powder coated AMTs, I will second the above, I think it effected the final weights like it was done post-weighting for the shafts. I will say, in limited experience with the AMTs, even the non-coated shafts can be a little broad on weight spec too. Zero experience with the tour issue versions.

[halliedog]

Thanks for the input Golfrnut!

These aren't TI's, just something TT put out in a limited run back in '16 or '17. If you feel the weights are all over the place on weight spec even with the non-coated version, maybe I'll pass. Hard to pass up on a set though from a reputable seller, even cheaper than the chrome from most sellers.

[Golfrnut]

I wouldn’t say all over the place, just a bit wider spread. By that I mean, shaft weights may overlap, etc. I think the farthest I saw was 5 grams or so off the spec’d value.

It would all really depend on your needs and how close is close enough for you. May be fine, there are ways you could add weight here/there to make up for light shafts, fudge a little on SW/lighter grips for others to make up for being a smidge heavy, etc if you were trying to really get precise, MOI match, etc.

[Poolparty]

Yeah I think they switched to a different process. They old onyx wedges chipped like you read about and the new ones seem more durable. I believe the AMT, PX, and 105 have the new process. What I didn't know was the may have changed the s400 wedge shafts too. I bought one on ebay and it looks like the new powder coat finish and not the old gloss paint.

[Ger21]

FWIW, I bought some new TI S400 Onyx shafts for my wedges (to match the irons), and the finish looks identical.

All but one of the shafts had adhesive labels with the part #'s. The oddball appeared to be powder coated over a printed on part #, which you could kinda make out. This one was the oddball heavy one.

I figured that since the balance points were correct, the weight tolerances would not be as noticeable. There's still a steady progression, but my 4i & 5i are the same weight, and my 7i is a few grams heavier than the 6i. But I play with heavy swing weights (D6-D7), so it's not really an issue for me.

I never checked the swingweights with my DG S300's before I pulled them, but I weighed all the heads, and added tip weights to get an even 7g progression, and the swingweights now are probably at least as good as the way they came from Nike.

 

My original plan was to wait until the spring and get some TI S400 AMT's, but the price on these was too good to pass on.

Also, it looks like TT still makes these, as they are an option on the black Cobra Forged MB's.

[knudson81]

I have a set (4-PW) of S400 Black Onyx in an older set of irons that I don't use very often. For me the finish didn't hold up great as some spots near the hosel are already starting to chip away on a few irons. These mostly sit in a staff bag, used maybe 1-2 times a year. The set I have I wouldn't feel real confident in them holding up in a full time gamer situation.

[Poolparty]

A square white sticker? How much was the heavy one? TI should all be very close

[PhlashPhace]

If you're worried about shafts maintaining a pristine look do not go with a black shaft. They will chip and look used within a couple rounds.

As far as a PVD coated shaft goes it depends upon what they coat them with but the most durable black shaft I've installed has been a PVD black putter shaft from Apollo. I've installed a bunch of them and they actually hold up as well as chrome.

[Ger21]

No, the AMT, not the Tour Issue. I was just saying that the finish on the AMT's appears to match the TI S400's.

[halliedog]

Is it a black finish applied over chrome? If so, and they chip up too badly, could I not just bead blast off the rest of the black and end up with a "satin chrome" finish similar to C-Tapers? To be honest, the black isn't a be-all/end-all for me, but have wanted to try these shafts AMT Whites as they seem like a possible fit and the black at this price was just an added bonus.

[Nixhex524]

Had them in a back up set for a while, and then installed them in some gamers that only saw a few rounds of use plus some range time, but I never had a single chip or blemish. I obviously did not have them long term, so I can't say but they definitely held up more than a couple rounds. They do look really nice, but I will say, they did feel a touch heavier in the 765s I had than in my AMT X100s in my J15 CB... could be the head weight but I assumed they were a little heavier from the coating.

[Poolparty]

This is what mine looks like, was yours similar?

I’ve wondered about this as well but for a different reason. I imagine the chrome and paint add weight. I wonder how weight could be removed from either stripping or sand blasting.

[Ger21]

 

Yes.

[GrandmasterJ]

just curious if you have these shafts still available? If you want to unload them, I would buy them haha

[Ger21]

I put them in my VR Pro blades, and sold them last year.

As a follow up to the durability, I played about 30 rounds with them, and they didn't have a scratch on them when I sold them.