Different Carbon Levels and Different Patina Shades on Axe Head.

[learyw]

I apologize if this a dumb question, but I looked through as many threads as I could and can't figure it out.
Ive been fixing up so old axes and other tools lately. I really like the look, and practicality, of a full patina. However, when you force a patina with vinegar you get the two very different shades depending on the carbon content. Since they use a higher carbon content on the blade (I think I have that right) it looks way different. Do you all just deal with that look, or is there some trick I'm missing to get a more even patina across the whole blade? Thanks!

 

[marbat]

I think I might be to answer this somewhat. Axe heads I have done so far will always show two different shades of color once pulled out of a vinegar bath.
The lower darker part will be the heat treated part of it as in the edge part. To get it to all look the same then some sand paper/steelwool will give it an almost even shade of grey or whatever though not always. I kind of like that two tone shade.

 

[DarthTaco123]

The forced patina is the reason I don't use vinegar anymore. Brass wire brushes on a drill or angle grinder after the head is doused in PB Blaster or WD-40 is the only way to go IMO, leaves the original patina 99% in tact and really gets the rust neutralized.

 

[SC T100]

If you take a scotch-brite pad to the head as soon as it comes out of the vinegar you can scrub the whole head and you will get a pretty even coloring.

 

[joshiecole]

Am I alone in liking the contrast between high carbon/heat treated bit and the rest of the poll?

 

[SC T100]

Am I alone in liking the contrast between high carbon/heat treated bit and the rest of the poll?

Nope, I like it too! I think it'll eventually get worn off through use, but I like the way it looks as well.

 

[Square_peg]

The forced patina is the reason I don't use vinegar anymore. Brass wire brushes on a drill or angle grinder after the head is doused in PB Blaster or WD-40 is the only way to go IMO, leaves the original patina 99% in tact and really gets the rust neutralized.

I'm with Darth. I like the natural patinated look.

 

[idaho_crosscut]

unless the bit has been welded on, as in a two piece axe, the "two tone" does not come from an increase in carbon content in the steel, it comes from the difference in temper and the presence of austentite-- the stuff that basically what makes tempered steel harder than normalized steel.