A blade (20) has an airfoil (22) having a tip (26). The blade (20) has a metallic substrate (80) and a coating system atop the substrate (80) at the tip (26). The coating system has: a first layer (110) of at least 99.0% weight nickel; an abrasive layer (114) having a matrix (118) and an abrasive (116) at least partially embedded in the matrix (118); and a second layer (112) between the first layer (110) and the matrix (118). The second layer (112) is tougher or more ductile than at least one of the first layer (110) and the matrix (118).