Anodizing is hard

[Tensaw]

I've tried anodizing once. I gathered all the materials and watched a bunch of "how to" videos. I spent part of two days pursuing my vision for a particular knife and it turned out very disappointing. I'll try to fix it one day. I did learn that Multi Etch will destroy your clothes.

 

[oneWade]

Under 100$ science experiment, finally ended close enough to what I wanted. Don't look too close at the pivots, and I didn't feel like doing the tiny screws. Didn't realize how like, clean the parts have to be, and not sure if I'd do it again, first try didn't go so great.

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Prep work before anodizing is everything! There are techniques, equipment, & tricks that make doing it much easier. However not for under 100. Realistically, if you want to do anodizing (with repeatable outcomes and various finishes like matte, stone washed, satin) it's going to cost 300-500 to get everything you need. Yes, you can do it much cheaper, but to get the type of commercial results most are looking, then you can't.