Cold blue on a Krein blade

[clockman]

Has anyone used a cold blueing product on a Krein regrind black non stainless

blade with good results? What solvent do you use to clean the blade with?

Years ago I used 4440 cold blue and mineral spirits on blued gun parts with

good results.

 

[Leftoverdj]

I did a lot of bluing as a gunsmith and never found a cold bluing product I was happy with. Most of them will do a good enough job on small areas, such as screw heads, but larger surfaces will not take an even finish.

For degreasing, nothing beats boiling in hot soapy water for half an hour or so. The really effective solvents have all been outlawed for home use since my gunsmithing days, so mineral spirits or alcohol may be the best option you have. if you have to use one of those, use a lot. A small amount on a swab just moves the contaminants around.

 

[CWL]

You will need to polish the blade to near mirror surface if you want cold blue to take evenly.

I've tried Circhwood Casey, Blue Wonder and Brownells Oxpho Blue creme. The Brownells creme works the best, but it isn't close to hot salts and you'll still need to polish the blade to get an (almost) even effect.

 

[Brules1]

I've tried many cold blues and Oxpho Blue is by far the best.

 

[Badhammer]

I've tried many cold blues and Oxpho Blue is by far the best.

+1 on the Oxpho Blue. I find the gel works better for me than than the liquid.

 

[alex]

+2 for Oxpho Blue. I find that applying it on thick and immediately rubbing it thoroughly and for as long as it stays wet with steel wool makes the bluing a lot more even. In fact any bluing product I have used has seemed to work better when rubbed down with steel wool. I degrease with acetone first and follow up with hot soapy water and dry and apply the oxpho blue. I also wear disposable rubber gloves while I am washing the blade and while applying the bluing.