D2 Patina ????

D

dullone

Joined
Aug 27, 2002
Messages
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I recently acquired a Queen Sodbuster slipjoint with a D2 blade. I got to thinking that a nice patina on the blade might add to it's traditional charm.

But D2 is referred to as "semi" or "near" stainless.

So my question is, has anyone ever had a D2 blade "develop" a patina either thru use or induced one on it?
 
Should be able to induceone if you want, as nothing is completely stailess(least, not steels, things like talonite are different). But, I've never tried it myself, and I don't know what might actually make a good looking patina.
 
You can etch D2 with a Ferric Chloride solution to get a dark gray to black finish. I have done this with a solution that is a 50/50 mix of FeCl and white vinegar.
You can also get a gray etch with Muriatic acid (.375 N HCl). If you leave it in the acid for 10 to 12 minutes, it will start to show the texture of the carbides in a sort of Wootz like random pattern.

Before using either of these, clean the blade with a solvent like acetone, use rubber gloves and if using Muriatic, do it outdoors or with good ventilation. The fumes from HCl will burn your lungs as well as your skin. Rinse the blades well before handling them.

If using acid and diluting it, ALWAYS add the acid to cold water. If you drop water in concentrated acid it can be disasterous.
 
Yep, I've had many a D2 blade develop a patina, and I've never exposed them to even a drop of acid. I've had a couple of D2 blades discolor as I was using them! D2 is not really as "near stainless" as you think. Just use the knife a lot, and when you're done, wash it with soap and water, dry it thoroughly, then coat with your favorite rust inhibitor (tuff cloth, oil, wax based protectants, etc.). A patina will develop as you use the knife more and more. If you use your knife a lot, it will naturally develop a patina. I think the finish might have something to do with it as well. I think bead blasted blades get stained before a smooth finished one will.

Anyway, if you want to kick start a patina on your blade, try cutting tomatoes, onions, oranges, limes, etc. and then let the knife sit for a while with the juice on it. Once it's dry, wash it off, then treat it with oil or something like it before you put the knife away. It will get a patina real quick that way! Just remember to wash it off and treat it with a rust inhibitor before you put the knife up or it will rust.
 
Wash off with something such as Windex, which ahs ammonia, to help make sure you stop the etching action. Or TSP or vinegar and baking soda, etc. There's about 200 threads on etching in shop talk foruma, dn while most won't tell you specifics for D2, which is why this is a good thread, will give good info on etching in general,a dn how to make sure you clean off the acid well to stop the etch once you get it where you want
 
Be cautious with muriatic acid! Don't get it in your eyes! Blindness and (believe it or not) insanity can result.
 
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