Blasting question

[Stang Bladeworks]

I am looking to change out my blasting media. I recenly saw a microtech socom fixed blade that was sand blasted then tumbled. I really like that finish and im wondering if anyone knows or has an idea of what blasting media they use. I would also be interested in knowing what media crk uses if anyone knows. Im looking to get a dark grey finish. I have glass beads right now and im not happy with the finish. It is a little pricey to change media so im hoping to get it right on the first try here. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am aware that the steel is more rust prone when blasted.

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

Here is a good pic of the finish. They call it apocalyptic.

 

[MotorCityMike]

Wow that's really dark

Are you sure it's not sand blasted and anodized?

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

Wow that's really dark

Are you sure it's not sand blasted and anodized?

I mean the blade. Not the handle.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Wow that's really dark

Are you sure it's not sand blasted and anodized?

I’m no expert on blasting media by any means but that looks to me to bleached or some other oxidizing process before or after blasting with media to get that color & texture.

 

[MotorCityMike]

I mean the blade. Not the handle.

Haha

Ok that makes sense.

I immediately thought handle because that's the only thing I blast. I never blast blades.

 

[Natlek]

I am looking to change out my blasting media. I recenly saw a microtech socom fixed blade that was sand blasted then tumbled. I really like that finish and im wondering if anyone knows or has an idea of what blasting media they use. I would also be interested in knowing what media crk uses if anyone knows. Im looking to get a dark grey finish. I have glass beads right now and im not happy with the finish. It is a little pricey to change media so im hoping to get it right on the first try here. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am aware that the steel is more rust prone when blasted.

I used coarse sand to blast this blade before hard chrome ....

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

I used coarse sand to blast this blade before hard chrome ....

Thanks. Any idea of the grit. I was planning to get silicon carbide and its available in different grit sizes. 50, 80, 120 etc.

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

I’m no expert on blasting media by any means but that looks to me to bleached or some other oxidizing process before or after blasting with media to get that color & texture.

I know the pics almost look like a light acid wash but in person It looks to be a dark sandblast followed by a heavy tumble. Im just trying to get a rough idea of what grit silicon carbide blasting media to get in order to replicate that darker finish.

 

[Natlek]

Thanks. Any idea of the grit. I was planning to get silicon carbide and its available in different grit sizes. 50, 80, 120 etc.

Sorry , but no .I have no idea about grit size .In that time I blast this blade in shop of my friend , he use it for heavy blasting big parts....
I can t find picture in my comp. but I have two other blade blasted with very fine sand and low pressure , they come out beautiful...Personally for finish on blade I will use 100-120 grit

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

Sorry , but no .I have no idea about grit size .In that time I blast this blade in shop of my friend , he use it for heavy blasting big parts....
I can t find picture in my comp. but I have two other blade blasted with very fine sand and low pressure , they come out beautiful...Personally for finish on blade I will use 100-120 grit

Thanks

 

[WC53]

Used to use 120+ grit on small parts often followed by glass beads to smooth out surface. There were premixed blends of allox and glass, but I never tried them. Lower grits will be darker in alox, but way too coarse of a finish. I wasn’t dealing with hardened surfaces so ymmv

 

[bmilleker]

Aluminum oxide, 80g, is what I use to darken pieces. Blasting titanium with aluminum oxide media will give you the the dark sebenza look.

I often blast the blades with the same media. I have attached a photo of my finish.

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

Aluminum oxide, 80g, is what I use to darken pieces. Blasting titanium with aluminum oxide media will give you the the dark sebenza look.

I often blast the blades with the same media. I have attached a photo of my finish.

View attachment 1117874

Thanks this is exactly what I was looking for. That finish looks great.

 

[bmilleker]

Here is exactly what I used: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/50-lb-aluminum-oxide-blasting-abrasive/A-p8200578e

I have experimented with a lot of different media. Nothing has worked quite like alu oxide. The only thing I dislike is that the alu oxide creates a ton of dust. It fractures over time. You really need a vacuum sucking out the dust in your cabinet to see anything.

 

[JTknives]

Wow that's really dark

Are you sure it's not sand blasted and anodized?

You can’t anodize steel

 

[JTknives]

This is just tumbled 15n20. Came out really dark and had to scrub it to get it this light.

 

[Stang Bladeworks]

Aluminum oxide, 80g, is what I use to darken pieces. Blasting titanium with aluminum oxide media will give you the the dark sebenza look.

I often blast the blades with the same media. I have attached a photo of my finish.

View attachment 1117874

I purchased some of the princess auto 80 grit ao media and my finish is alot lighter than that. I am running my compressor ar 115psi. Is there anything i can do to get a darker grey.

Thanks

 

[MotorCityMike]

You can’t anodize steel

Read my second post in this thread

 

[bmilleker]

I purchased some of the princess auto 80 grit ao media and my finish is alot lighter than that. I am running my compressor ar 115psi. Is there anything i can do to get a darker grey.

Thanks

I run mine around 90psi. I always tumble after in very coarse triangle ceramic media. Maybe that's the difference. Here is a couple more examples. Pre and post tumble.