Bluing Solution Question

[sirwilliamjr]

I've got a knife I'm working on that I've forged from a coil spring, I'm guessing 5160. I was thinking a blue or black finish on it would look pretty nice, and I want something that will help prevent corrosion and will be tough enough not to come off when I use the knife. I've got some formula's from Hrisoulas's Complete Bladesmith that use hydrochloric acid and ferric chloride but I think he said to use it when it was hot? Would that be the steel or the solution? Anyway, would that stuff work, or would I be better of spending the money on some Brownell's oxpho-blue or something like that? I guess what I really want to ask is what is the best way to blue a knife? Thanks.
-Will

 

[Dan Gray]

Will see if this
confuses you more.

http://www.knivesby.com/blueingsalts.html

 

[sirwilliamjr]

Thanks Dan. That was another option I didn't really consider until a few hours ago when a went to a local gun shop and asked about their blue touch-up solutions. The guy there said they have someone come by once a week to salt-blue guns, and he said they might be able to blue a knife for about 20 bucks. Is this possible to do easily at home without poisoning yourself or burning the house down?
-Will

 

[Dan Gray]

Thanks Dan. That was another option I didn't really consider until a few hours ago when a went to a local gun shop and asked about their blue touch-up solutions. The guy there said they have someone come by once a week to salt-blue guns, and he said they might be able to blue a knife for about 20 bucks. Is this possible to do easily at home without poisoning yourself or burning the house down?
-Will

$20.00 sounds like a lot of money for one blade if he is doing it anyway...
he must be making too much money

if you want to blue just one then it's not worth it for you to set up.
if you do it the way the site says just be carfull ...
hey woman use drainO
and oven cleaners... just be carfull

edited to add see if you can watch the guy Blue guys at the guys shop you could learn a lot, if he'll let you..

 

[Lynn]

OK Dan, I'm willing to give it a try. What do I look for in the store for "Sodium hydroxide"?
Thanks, Lynn

 

[Dan Gray]

the only place I can find lye any longer, is at the true-value store here.
try that or the feed n seed or hard-wear stores...

if you sent for the stuff you'll pay a hazardous shipping fee.