-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is available! Price is $250 ea (shipped within CONUS).
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/
Blueing Stainless with Alka-Seltzer
- Thread starter ConBon
- Start date
Wait, you had a SAK at school and the police didn't haul you off!?
- Joined
- May 18, 2011
- Messages
- 1,476
That was my reaction too hahahahaha
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2011
- Messages
- 98
picked up some Alka-Seltzer today at CVS, used the whole box up about 40 tablets on my buck vantage i let it sit in there for 3-4 hours didn't do any thing it seems like it polished it up some what. does any one know how to get an antique look on the blade?
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2011
- Messages
- 775
I'd try it but monday morning I'll be soaking myself in alka -seltzer
It was at my old elementary school and after hours. I'm not crazy enough to bring a knife to school on a normal day.
I tried letting the can opener sit in powdered Alka-Seltzer over night, with no results, so i put a little water and the can opener in a pencil lead container filled with the powder and let it sit. Still no results 
. Any one have an idea on what to do or have any luck?
. Any one have an idea on what to do or have any luck?
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,535
It may be that the oxide layer on the steel is preventing any further reaction. That's essentially what manufacturers have as the objective, when they use acids to passivate the steel in the first place. If so, maybe (just maybe) removing the oxide layer by polishing or abrading the steel might help. By 'abrading', I mean just some light sanding or scuffing of the surface. Some high-grit sandpaper or a green Scotch-Brite pad might do.
Keep in mind, I'm just speculating on this. I don't think this 'method' has ever been tested before, so we're just wingin' it. No idea whether it'll work or not, but might be worth a try, if you're so inclined.
Keep in mind, I'm just speculating on this. I don't think this 'method' has ever been tested before, so we're just wingin' it. No idea whether it'll work or not, but might be worth a try, if you're so inclined.
After using a green Scotch Brite pad on the screwdriver, after using 400 grit sandpaper, I put it in dry Alka-Seltzer for around 12 hours, with no result. I the put a drop of water on one side and spread it over the whole side, then sprinkled some Alka-Seltzer on it and let it sit for 12 hours. Still no result. It is important to know that the can opener that was blued in the pictures rubs on the liner a bit, which may have worn off the oxide layer that OWE was talking about.
But the first step in making a patina with Alka-Seltzer is to get some Alka-Seltzer and grind it into a fine powder. Next, rub the area of the steel that you want to discolor with a green Scotch Brite pad. Fire up a vaporizer and you are ready to begin.
First, move the area you will be working on back and forth over the steam, but only enough to get a small coating of water.
Second, grab a pinch of Alka-Seltzer powder and sprinkle it onto the wetish blade. Be careful not to pile it on in one spot.
Now, let the steam soak the Alka-Seltzer so that it is sure to stay on the blade by putting it over the steam on an angle.
Let the steam really condense on the blade, so that it is running a little. Then let the blade sit with the Alka-Seltzer side up for a minute or two, so that the Alka-seltzer is not longer distinguishable from the water.
Then wipe the Alka-Seltzer water off and admire you results.
ConBon,
The blade in the picture reminds me a lot of an Old Hickory 14" butcher's knife (model 7113). It may be an older one, possibly from their Agricultural/Industrial line of knives. The current production models are 1095, Rc 50-55 according to the Ontario catalog. Nice find.
I ordered one of the field knives and use it in the kitchen, slightly smaller than the one you have. my son calls it the machete knife.
Ric
The blade in the picture reminds me a lot of an Old Hickory 14" butcher's knife (model 7113). It may be an older one, possibly from their Agricultural/Industrial line of knives. The current production models are 1095, Rc 50-55 according to the Ontario catalog. Nice find.
I ordered one of the field knives and use it in the kitchen, slightly smaller than the one you have. my son calls it the machete knife.
Ric
My dad found it in the trash a long time ago. Won't let me have it (don't see why not) and he calls it the "Jimmy Hoffa Knife."
Have you thought of refinishing the handle? If it is an Ontario, it may be some fairly nice looking hard wood. Sand off the old finish with some 220 or 320 paper. Then apply some type of penetrating wood finish like linseed oil. Put a nice edge on it and you will have a very nice kitchen knife. Maybe your dad will let you use it in the kitchen 
.
Ric
.Ric
He is very firm that I don't need it (something about whittling my bedpost when I was eight, etc.) BUT, if I could have it, I would use it for clearing land, cutting fish heads off/ making cut bait, and other stuff like that. The machete is pretty front heavy for a kitchen knife IMO.