Benefits of a forced patina

[excranium]

I just purchased a Bravo 1 in A2. Aside from the aesthetics which some of you may or may not like, is there a sound scientific reason for forcing a patina on a new blade? Does it inhibit rust or pitting? Thanks.

 

[mmarkh]

I just used my Barkie and it's started to develop a patina. You can force one with some mustard but if you wipe your knife down it will be fine. Besides if you strop your knife to keep it sharp that will take off the patina.

 

[Frostyfingers]

It's debatable. I often force a patina to avoid the awkward, splotchy stage of a naturally developed patina. Whether or not it actually protects the blade, I don't really know. I do it because it's going to happen anyway and I'd rather it look good right away, rather than having to wait for a while.

The bottom line is this: If you use your knife regularly, it WILL develop a patina (unless you polish it off). As long as you keep your knife clean and free from red rust (active rust) it should be absolutely fine. If you decide to force a patina, you can use all sorts of methods, from mustard to vinegar to coca-cola or other dark soda. Have fun!

 

[rmc85]

I put a patina on my D2 Para because it kept rusting. After the patina took I havent had one problem with rust.

 

[NoFair]

It rusts slightly less. Never had a real problem with rust on A2 though.

You will eventually get a patina on it unless you clean it after every use, my Bark rivers look like this after quite a bit of use. They all end up different with a natural patina, it will also change a bit with use and sharpening:

Helle on the right is stainless

 

[RetiredGuns]

I received a small custom fixed blade in a trade this week and although it had developed a nice patina I decided to experiment with some brown mustard and tabasco sauce. I really like the results and nothing's undoable!

 

[RevDevil]

Here is a very good and brief explanation from a similar thread:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8282830&postcount=6

 

[Knife Outlet]

There is an advantage to a patina and that is protection from rust. Once a carbon steel blade becomes covered with a well developed patina it becomes somewhat stainless. Is there an advantage to creating a patina? Not really. You may like the look but a patina is a patina.

 

[Bluntruth]

I put a mustard patina on my Bravo1 (and a Mora). It made the Bravo1 more rust resistant, but it did pick up a couple little red-rust spots - so you still have to keep it dry and/or oiled.

It's hard to keep carbon looking shiny and new (if you're a user), so I just except that and don't worry about the look of patina. Some people have fun experimenting with designs to "personalize" their knives (like the poster above). But you should patina the whole blade (and exposed tang) to get rust-resistance everywhere - then do it again for the design pattern.

Blunt

 

[RetiredGuns]

I did patina the entire knife in white vinegar and then did the mustard and tabasco afterwords. The knife already had a patina going when I started also. Most of my old slippies are all patina and I've had a few potential traders back away from them. What do you want from 20+ year old carbon steel blades!

 

[brandonc]

A patina is similar (although much less effective) process as bluing or browning like on many firearms. It is oxidation of the surface and can prevent the red/brown rust that causes pitting. IMO a mirror polish and light coat of oil will be more effective.

I personally consider forcing a patina like acid washing jeans, trying to force a new blade to look decades old. If you are trying to prevent rust, why not go with a far more effective modern coating?

 

[RetiredGuns]

I personally consider forcing a patina like acid washing jeans, trying to force a new blade to look decades old. If you are trying to prevent rust, why not go with a far more effective modern coating?

The jean analogy isn't quite accurate as it probably decreases the life of the jeans significantly unlike putting a patina on a knife. I am probably not alone in the fact that I did this to a knife for a few reasons with a big one being for something to do! I literally have 100+ knives and all the old carbon steel knives with the exception of some real valuable slipjoints are all natural patina. I chose an inexpensive knife made of 01 and did some experimenting. I use this knife for various tasks with food cutting being one of them so I don't like coatings, oil and such. We don't always have to stay within the scientific box and sometimes people just do stuff because they want to.