Brass Black

Joined
Nov 27, 1999
Messages
3,745
Does anyone know a good way to blacken brass. (other than paint).
I am building a new bowie and the guard I want will take me a month to machine with the equipment I have. The only ones I've found in the supply houses that resemble what I want are cast brass and I hate brass.
Thanks
 
Will it blacken if you heat it with a torch? Maybe there will be too much heat. Just a thought!

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
It discolors a little but not black and not very deep. I have not tried acid yet but it's a thought. I am kinda hoping someone with a better mind than mine has already found a way.
 
Birchwood Casey makes some stuff (coincidently) called Brass Black. I've used it on my muzzleloader to dull the brass for hunting. Works pretty good but it's not a finish to be proud of and will polish off. It just oxidizes the metal and gives it a deep, dark tarnish.

------------------
Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 12-29-2000).]
 
I think Home Depot has the stuff you are looking for. They sell a whole line of chemicals used specifically for patina'ing metals. If not your local jewelry makers or Lapidary supply store will have it.
It's called Jax.
Shefields carries it.

------------------
RHankins Available knives
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=205453
 
I never did like brass. Have you ever seen a knife when the brass turns green? Yuk! I like nickel silver alot. Why dont you make it out of plain mild steel, polish it and have it hot blued by a professional? Now that would look nice! Bruce
 
See if you can find some liver of sulphur It's used to darken background in silver work but I think it also works on brass.
Take Care
TJ Smith
 
I've done some weird things with sodium hypochlorite (CLR...the stuff u use to clean hard water deposits off plumbing) to textured brass.
Brownell's sells some stuff that's s'posed to do different things to brass also...
 
Has anyone ever tried Gunkote on brass?? I don't know why it wouldn't work on it.

------------------
Take care!! Michael

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Thanks everyone. There is no better place to find 10 solutions to every problem than this forum.
 
Back
Top