A toner layer regulating system for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a toner carrier; a toner regulating member (e.g., doctor blade) disposed proximate the toner carrier, with the toner regulating member having a first surface disposed toward the toner carrier and forming a nip with the toner carrier. The toner regulating member comprise a flexible metallic substrate and a metallic coating on the first surface in an area thereof forming the nip. The coating on the toner regulating member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten carbide, and alloys thereof. The coating may be substantially homogeneous and/or have a thickness of not more than 30 um. The coating may have a relatively smooth surface roughness of 2.0 um Ra.