Is it easy to blue a carbon steel blade? Im not talking about puutting a patina on it but making the entire blade blue or black. My husband has some Birchwood Cassey gun bluing stuff left over and I want to use it on my Mora clipper. Its just the stuff that comes in a small bottle and you apply it with a cotton swab.
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Blueing a carbon blade?
- Thread starter Donna V
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Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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It's easy, but it will wear right off.
What Bill said.
The bottled stuff is designed for 'touch-up', not bluing entire pieces, and is not very durable. It will work though.
'Proper' bluing uses dangerous chemicals and high temperatures--"hot bluing" and is difficult in domestic circumstances.
Greg
The bottled stuff is designed for 'touch-up', not bluing entire pieces, and is not very durable. It will work though.
'Proper' bluing uses dangerous chemicals and high temperatures--"hot bluing" and is difficult in domestic circumstances.
Greg
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
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- 25,999
It wears off quickly but it recoats quickly as well. Just maintain the finish like you do your edge and you'll be fine. 
This is called "cold bluing" and has been noted, is not very durable.
If you want to try it be sure the blade is totally clean, especially of grease or oil, and warm the blade slightly before applying the solution (I use hot water).
Oil when finished and remember, this only colors the steel, it doesn't protect it.
If you want to try it be sure the blade is totally clean, especially of grease or oil, and warm the blade slightly before applying the solution (I use hot water).
Oil when finished and remember, this only colors the steel, it doesn't protect it.
Zuchus
Gold Member
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I used the Birchwood Casey paste to blue a CV blade on a Case jack knife. It took well and has been pretty durable, however I haven't used the knife a lot. One thing to beware of, is the blade ends up with a nasty, chemical smell that lingers for quite a while. I wouldn't use it for any food prep, such as apple slicing.
Bill DeShivs
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I just don't understand the "black blade" thing. Nothing except the nitride coatings will hold up to any use. Steel is not black.
Bill DeShivs
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Plating blades with industrial chrome or electroless nickel will protect them from corrosion much better than any "patina." And they look closer to the way steel should look.
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Under hard use chrome can flake off, and when it does the edges of the flakes are like razors. I can't say I like it.
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Jun 6, 2000
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Industrial "hard" chrome is applied differently than decorative chrome. It should not flake.