Ageing a blade

sharpeknives

sharpeknives

Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
1,655
I need some advice. I'm making a copy of a MACV SOG recon 7".
I want to age the blade so it looks used maybe some slight pitting. Kinda give it that used heavy then stored for 40 years look. Kinda like the one in Silvey's book. The blade is diff. tempered 1080. Also need to age the brass and stacked leather handle.
Thanks in advance
Andy
 
Hi Andy - I think you should talk to Bud Smith about that. He goes by nifeman over on knet and he's in Harmony, NC. He really does a great job antiquing/aging knives. We've talked a couple times in the past and I sent him some 1084 a few years ago, nice fellow and I think he'd be happy to talk to you about it.
 
Keep trying to convince me don't you! No, I can't do it sorry. Will be at the meeting after.
 
sharpeknives said:
I need some advice. I'm making a copy of a MACV SOG recon 7".
I want to age the blade so it looks used maybe some slight pitting. Kinda give it that used heavy then stored for 40 years look. Kinda like the one in Silvey's book. The blade is diff. tempered 1080. Also need to age the brass and stacked leather handle.
Thanks in advance
Andy
Click to expand...


Yellow prepared mustard. Dab it on the blade with your fingertip or a Q-tip. When the mustard dries, rinse it off and repeat it. You can make it look old and gnarly. I prefer to make them have a real nice pattern, but not overlapping the mustard on any one application.

You could even try smearing it on, instead of dabbing it on.

I usually dab on about 12 coats, over and over, rinsing between each application. You can also cold gun blue it afterwards for a bluish hint to the patina. Attached is a photo of one that I did.
 
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For a nice gray patina warm up some white vinegar and soak the balde in it until its the color you want, then rinse with cold water and rub down with baking soda paste. If you want to pit the blade, clean with acetone, then coat with cold gun bluing. Once the bluing is dry, soak the blade in bleach, but watch it carefully as it will get pitted and darken up quick. Rinse with cold water ans knock soem of the patina off with steel wool if necessary, then neutralize with the baking soda.
 
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