Clear spots in patina

J

Jack_of_Spades

Joined
Sep 6, 2021
Messages
2
Just started making knives and decided do a patina finish. After a few hours in some white vinegar it came out with spots that didn't patina like the rest. It's made out of 1080, quenched in vegetable oil and tempered at 400° for 3, 2 hour cycles. I have no idea what's causing it and I'm worried it might be that I didn't harden it properly. If anyone knows what's causing it I'd appreciate the help.
 
The steel needs to be polished and clean. That's what I have learned everywhere whether it concerns knives, firearms, watchmaking or anything. How well you want any finish to look like depends on the polish and cleanliness of the steel beforehand. Even a fingerprint can mess stuff up. I have never tried a forced patina before but I'll bet that the better the steel is polished and cleaned beforehand the better the steel will look.
 
Make sure all decarb is sanded away first.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN. Wash well with dish soap and rinse well with hot water. Do it two or three times. Then, don't touch anything but the tang.
Also, the blade needs to be taken out of the etching/patina liquid every so often and rinsed off, then put back. This is to prevent bubbles from clinging and causing spots or streaks. Every 15 minutes is good for a mild etchant like vinegar, but with FC it can be as often as every 5 minutes.
 
If you cleaned everything well then it's decarb
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top