bluing kukris?

G

greenknight87

Joined
Dec 12, 2006
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Has anyone tried to apply a cold blue to any of the Himalayan Import kurkris? If so what did you use and what were the results? I've read somewhere that bluing a hard/high polish blade can bring about mixed results. I was contemplating on trying it to give the blade a dark and rust resistant finish. Thanks.
 
Blued a 20" AK villager quite a while ago. Used Birchwood-Casey's Perma-Blue. Heated it in the hot July sun, then used the bluing. Didn't know about oil-curing back then, but it seems fine without it.

What are you thinking of bluing?
 
Hi Greenknight

This may not answer you question directly, but it is an alternative to using cold blue. Many have suggested the use of lemon to etch the blade giving it a rust resistant surface which works quite well. The result is a bluish grey color on the blade. I've never seen or used cold blue but seems to be more complicated to apply than just lemon or lime juice.

Cheers
Eric
 
Hey Greenknight,
I've been planning on doing a home Park job on my Villager Ang Khola at some point. I've done a few firearms in the past with good results. The key to any metal finish is the same as doing a good painted finish - DON'T SKIMP ON THE PREP. Bead blast for a consistant surface texture, wear gloves when handling, use distilled water [if necessary] and make sure you degrease perfectly. If you follow the directions you should be OK and it will look great. Also, if you don't like the results, a little muriatic acid will take bluing or park right off and you can try again. [above all - be safe!]
PS My wife insists on recommending that you do any metal finishing outside, when your significant other is not present - while us guys may appreciate the smell of this stuff - some won't appreciate the smell of "creativity" in the kitchen! =]
 
I too have used Perma-Blu with pretty good success. I can't tell you how long it will last with a chopping blade because I polished it off because I got bored with it before i actually used it:p

What I was told to do by some members of the Cantina back in 2002:

Wash the blade REALLY REALLY well in HOT water with dish soap. The water should be hot enough that it heats the blade to the point where the water droplets start to evaporate off (most taps will go this hot. The one in my crappy apartment at the time did).

Use paper towels to get all traces of water off the blade.

Make sure that you don't get any grease from your fingers on the blade while you are prepping it.

You might want to use cotton balls and rubbing alcohol to completely clean the blade. As you wipe it down you'll see how unclean your "clean" blade is. Just keep washing the blade down until all traces of dirt stop showing up on the cotton balls.

While it is still warm, apply the blu per the directions on the bottle. I liked using the cotton balls for this.

Then it is just a matter of applying and buffing until it is as dark as you like.

The khuk that I did this to was my first khuk. A Kumar made 15" Villager Model. It had a satin finish, so I have no idea how well the bluing will stick to a polished model. I just etch my khuks with acid now.

Good luck:thumbup::D
 
If the blade is perfectly clean, the polished blades should work wonderfully with blueing - Look at the old S&Ws or Colts - Yum!
Has anyone tried Hot Blue on a polished knife?
 
One man's opinion.

I have always found that lemons are effective and easier than commercial blue-ing preparations on your marriage.

Also there is something about the light blue grey finish that works well with a handmade knife.
 
Lemon/any citrus also smells good, and is a more "natural" patina, unless you routinely use your kukri to open chemical drums.
 
yea i'm too cheap to buy bluing chemicals and i have a bunch of lemons in the fridge for some reason. can anyone give me some pointers on applying the lemon juice? I assume clean the blade and apply, maybe use a fine steel wool to polish?
 
Here is my quick and dirty technique that can be easily maintained on a working knife. Takes about a half hour for the whole process.

My usual technique is to squeeze a lemon and filter through a coffee filter. Then wash the blade thoroughly with dish soap and hot water until the blade is clean. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and dry with a very clean cloth.

Then I take the lemon juice and pour a little on each side of the blade and spread it over the entire surface of the blade. I then let the blade dry while resting on the tip and handle. I repeat 3 or 4 times with the lemon without washing the previous lemon off. When I am satisfied with the colour, I wash the blade to stop the etching. Dry the blade and then oil it with mineral oil.

I repeat the lemon ritual as required to maintain the working blade.

I hope that it helps.
 
A can of brake cleaner from the auto parts store is an excellent pre-bluing degreaser.


Mike
 
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