Finish: Blueing, bleach, ferric something

B

bjalongi

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
640
I read a post about beautiful knife built by a gentlmen on this site.

The finish on the knife looked very unique and he stated his process as follows, (to the best of my memory):

1. Cold blue
2. Soak in bleach for 5 minutes or so, then wash in water.
3. Soak in "ferric" for 5-10 minutes.


What ferric compound is he refering to? I think he meant Ferric acid.



Thanks.
 
looks like it gives it an aged look and sometimes a damascus look. not my cup of tea. still looks cool tho
 
Sorry, Squee, I actually meant that for the guy starting the thread. I worded it too vague.
 
i wanted to see what it looked like myself. im trying to find a way to color the blade black and not have a glossy finish. one idea i have is beadblasted with gun blue applied afterwards. not sure it if will work.
 
Jacob,
The thing about blades for combat not being reflective is is applied mostly to blades that will never see combat ( with the possible exception of special forces teams). Real combat knives are often stainless and if there is any treatment it is a gun coat finish. If you have to make a knife for use in the gulf region, make it stainless, make it tough, and bead blast a satin finish on it. That is what the troops over there want and need. I have one going out to Afghanistan in a week or two. Carbon steel is OK, but you will have to blue it well. There is no such thing as touch up in the field, so as any finish wears (which is fast in the dust and sand that permeates everything there) it will look like H*!!. Soldiers don't really care what it looks like. Handles need to be comfortable and tough, Blades need to be sharp and tough. Dd I forget to mention that the knife needs to be tough?
Stacy
 
thanks. if i try gun blueing a blade and it works i will just hang it on the wall after taking a few pics for yall.
 
I jewel my blade first (I use a 1/4" wood dowel in my drill press, that I've sanded square with the work table...use sand paper on the work table to sand it.....then I put "valve grinding" compound on the end of the dowel and make little shined circles all over the knife) . This gives the knife a shiny prism appearance, that I sometimes leave as is. When I want it dark and aged looking, I'll do the bleach/gun blue/ferric chloride thing to it. I neutralize with TSP. The little swirls are still visible, but have an aged look to them.
 
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