Best way to dark finish CPM 20CV

A

Alfazulu

Joined
Mar 24, 2016
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Hey guys, my batch of 9 blades is on its way back from Peters' Heat Treat. One of the guys for whom I'm making a blade wants a dark finish. I can powder coat it, but I don't think that's what he wants. Basically, he asked me if I can "acid etch" it. I'm thinking he is wanting something like an acid washed finish (I'm waiting to hear back from him on clarification of EXACTLY what he wants). I've tried to talk him into a nice hand rubbed satin finish, but it's his knife, and he doesn't seem to appreciate that finish. What is the best way to get a dark finish? I'm using CPM 20CV. Dip in PCB etchant? Gun blue? Both? What do you guys use to make blades dark, specifically on stainless steels? Thanks for the help!
 
I'm not a pro, but have used Caswell's Stainless Steel Blackener.
It stinks worse than cold blue on carbon, but does the job on SS.
Google it if interested.
 
I usually reframe from giving advice but I just started using 20cv heated at Peters' to 60. I love PCB etchant and did one blade in it. The etchant I have came ready mixed from Radio Shack. I hang it from a wire, dunk it in for around ten minutes pull it out dunk it in plain water, wipe off the black residue, I do this three times and a manual stonewash of 10 minutes and I get a (what I consider) nice acid washed blade.
Walter
 
wwells20 said:
I usually reframe from giving advice but I just started using 20cv heated at Peters' to 60. I love PCB etchant and did one blade in it. The etchant I have came ready mixed from Radio Shack. I hang it from a wire, dunk it in for around ten minutes pull it out dunk it in plain water, wipe off the black residue, I do this three times and a manual stonewash of 10 minutes and I get a (what I consider) nice acid washed blade.
Walter
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Thanks for the advice! I was planning to try PCB etchant, but was nervous about doing it without hearing at least ONE person say they've done it with decent results. I'll try it out on a test piece. On a side note, I just got my nine blades back from Peters' today. Brad hardened them to 61-62Hrc. I'm super excited to get handles on some and post pictures. Unfortunately, my brother's wedding is this weekend, so it probably won't happen for a week.
 
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