Anyone use Barrel brown to patina a blade?

[Larry in KY]

Has anyone ever used barrel brown to form the patina on a forged blade? Anything else? I have tried lemons, tomatoes & onions without any success. Thanks!!

 

[Dav]

Are you referring to the material sold by Brownells? Depending on the blade material (it won't work on stainless) and you follow directions faithfully, it should work.

I know that this is going to sound kind of strange but do you know anyone that has a manure pile in your area? If you do, you can prep the metal by degeasing it, stick it in the pile (horse or cow works best) and take it out every couple of days and card it with extra fine steel wool until it reaches the hue you want. With firearms it usually takes about a week to ten days. Bury it deep enough that it won't be exposed to any of the local weather and make sure that you mark the location of the knife or you will be doing a lot of digging

Hope this helps!

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath

 

[Larry in KY]

Dav,

I was referring to Birchwood Casey's barrel brown...I'm sure that Brownell's has it.
That sounds interesting about using cow/horse manure to turn the blade.....I do have some goat manure that I put in my tomatoes...wonder if that would work? Hey, I appreciate your reply as I have certaintly learned something!!

 

[Bruce Evans]

Thanks for the post and reply as I have wondered about doing this myself......Bruce

------------------
Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Sure Larry
Many times on period knives.


------------------
Web Site At www.darrelralph.com