Years ago coming home fron a hunting trip I discovered one of my 440C blades was soaked with the brine fron a can of Jalaponeo peppers and was "tarnished". Two or three years ago I put a Mora & a Finnish carbon in a bottle of this brine and it reacted on the blades making them brown. I recently did two other carbon blades (left longer) and they came out a handsome black. Question What is this process and will it retard rust. Thanks
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Brining of blades
- Thread starter jugger
- Start date
Bill DeShivs
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Basically, you just "blued" your blades. Bluing is a controlled rust. It offers a little protection from corrosion if kept oiled.
Bill
Bill
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- Apr 3, 2004
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Patination. 
Same way that carbon darkens with use.
Same way that carbon darkens with use.Jewelry makers My wife) use a very hot solution of liver of sulfur to oxidize silver, gives it that darkened antiqued look. Not sure if that would provide any rust protection but it does darken (oxidize) the metal. Though it can be rubbed off with enough .... well, a lot of elbow grease. Would probably work on carbon steel blades. I have never done this so if you try it, it's at your own risk.
You can get it at jewelry supply places, my wife has a small can of it. Since a little goes a long way that small can will last forever.
Anyway, brief instructions:
Thoroughly clean and degrease the item to be treated. Boil a cup of water, place in a small chunk of liver of sulfur about the size of a 1/4" - 3/8" marble and let it dissolve. Dip, dunk or submerge the item to be treated for 10-15 seconds, take it out and see how dark it is. The idea is to get it black, because you'll buff off the excess. You want darker, leave it in longer. Be advised, it stinks like rotten eggs when used! So don't spill it or get it on your clothing or hands. It's also a little toxic, so use in a well ventilated area and don't drink or eat it, as tempting as it will be to do so.
For a knife blade, you may need to touch-up the edge after your finished.
You can get it at jewelry supply places, my wife has a small can of it. Since a little goes a long way that small can will last forever.
Anyway, brief instructions:
Thoroughly clean and degrease the item to be treated. Boil a cup of water, place in a small chunk of liver of sulfur about the size of a 1/4" - 3/8" marble and let it dissolve. Dip, dunk or submerge the item to be treated for 10-15 seconds, take it out and see how dark it is. The idea is to get it black, because you'll buff off the excess. You want darker, leave it in longer. Be advised, it stinks like rotten eggs when used! So don't spill it or get it on your clothing or hands. It's also a little toxic, so use in a well ventilated area and don't drink or eat it, as tempting as it will be to do so.
For a knife blade, you may need to touch-up the edge after your finished.
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- Jun 10, 2003
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- 15,288
Silver + sulphur = silver sulphide This could also darken copper alloys. This will not happen with steel . For carbon steels you can just let it darken on it's own or you can darken it with things like vinegar .Some use pickling brine , mustard etc all of which contain vinegar [acetic acid] Other acids can work also. Don't call it corrosion or rust , call it "patina" !!