Black blade damage

[Tong2]

Hi, I have just purchased a Nowill and Sons Fairbairn Sykes Commando Knife, only to find on receiving it that some bright spark has done something to the blade. Originally the blade was black but now it looks as if someone has tried to remove the black, taking it back to almost bare metal. Is there any way to restore a uniform blackness to the blade? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ErikD]

Black blades are usuallly coated with one of the various coationgs to get them black. Short of having it re-coated I don't really think that you can do much to restore the original finish.

Did you know that the knife had been modified before buying it? If you weren't informed that this knife had been altered from new I would return it if not happy.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Welcome to Bladeforums! All the various black coatings for blades are baked on. If you can remove any non-metal handle it has you can do it in your oven. It doesn't have to get hot enough to affect the temper but it will ruin any handle material that isn't metal.

You can get most of the paints from Brownell's www.brownells.com

You can get Kal-Gard at an auto parts store. Chris Reeve uses that ... it's more commonly used for auto exhaust systems. It's a dull nonreflective black, not shiny at all, and many people consider it not very attractive though that's a matter of taste.

 

[Cougar Allen]

P.S. If it's not stainless steel you can blacken it with cold blue, available at any gunshop. That's the most beautiful black finish in my opinion, and it doesn't require heat.

 

[blgoode]

Nice thing about the cold black is that at any point in time (once it has worn some) you simply reapply

 

[Tong2]

Thanks all for your advice. If I re-blue do I first need to remove the old coating and if so, how is that done. Also, which is best, hot or cold blueing? I would prefer to use the more durable coating. Thanks.