Anyone ever parkerized a knife?

I saw the word phosphate, then remembered a thread where a knife sat "lost" in a washing machine for a good while.
The blade was pitted as if it it had been laying out rusting for a long time.
Is it phosphates in the detergent that would have caused the damage?

Sorry for the threadjack.
Putting stuff in real-life perspective is how I learn new things the best.
 
They make a black dip that you use just before placing in the phosphate solution. With out it, the zinc phosphate comes out a light grey, the manganese phosphate comes out dark gray. I use it on every Damascus blade I parkerize.

Well, maybe that's why some folks aren't getting the deep black they want out of the solution.
Good to learn. I'll shut up now until I've actually tried it!
 
What is this black dip called and where do you get it? Your system sounds like a really good one for damascus blades that are not going to be used in the kitchen.
They make a black dip that you use just before placing in the phosphate solution. With out it, the zinc phosphate comes out a light grey, the manganese phosphate comes out dark gray. I use it on every Damascus blade I parkerize.
 
What is this black dip called and where do you get it? Your system sounds like a really good one for damascus blades that are not going to be used in the kitchen.

I am guessing that I have parkerized about a hundred blades now. I really like the results and the durability, the can be sanded and even lightly buffed with out removing it when done properly.

Here is what I use -

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/59...erizing-pre-treatment-solution-1-quart-liquid

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1841245936/lauer-manganese-phosphate-parkerizing-solution-liquid

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1841319587/lauer-parkerizing-post-treatment-solution-liquid

Midway also has kit that includes a degreaser, I just use denatured alcohol or acetone and then wash with dawn dish soap or purple power.
 
Hello guys, I know this thread is a little old, but I was reading it and thought I'd ask--is a parkerized blade safe to use on food (meats and veggies/fruit, game/ fish, etc)? I have Kabar's EK model 5 bowie inbound and realized that the blade is parkerized (not coated in their traditional way)... what do you think--should this be a nonfood blade?
 
Sounds like it's pretty safe if you use a food grade oil to finish coat the blade. It would take far higher levels of manganese phospate than minute trace amounts from a knife blades, to harm health. Or, that's the word on the street anyway.
 
Thanks sir! Now if we can get another to corroborate, I'd appreciate it!
 
There's nothing about it that shouldn't be food safe, but like a ferric etched knife I would want it cleaned and free of loose particulate before slicing my Apple. Like Salem said, use a food safe oil to take up space in the pores created by the process so nothing else can take hold and leech out.
 
Thanks guys--I appreciate it. As I was waiting, I spoke to a guy a Kabar, and he said that he sanded the parkerization of until he got down to the bare steel (on his own EK 45 bowie), then just let a patina develop naturally. Does that make sense to you?
 
I don't know why you would park a knife only to sand it off. But yes, carbon steel will develop a natural patina if cared for properly so the don't go to rust.
 
9d4afa9cd64715a2775480cad96d250f.jpg

This knife is gorgeous, sleek, elegant and with an amazing stag!!!
 
This knife is gorgeous, sleek, elegant and with an amazing stag!!!

thanks and I agree. :-)
I wish I could take credit but this is a James Rodebaugh MS design
He showed me how to make this frame handle knife at his shop in august.
you can read about it here - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1420037-a-few-days-learning-with-an-ABS-Mastersmith

Even the stag is from BF member Javand

The steel is W1 and about 61 RC, it cuts manila rope superbly.
The ferrule, pins and frame are all silicon bronze.

Harbeer
 
I really do love the looks of it... but I guess my question is, would you slice an apple with it?
 
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