First Induced Patina

[ellipticus]

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[Obsessed with Edges]

Patina is 'black' iron oxide (Fe[sub]3[/sub]O[sub]4[/sub]). What we normally know as red rust is also a form of iron oxide (Fe[sub]2[/sub]O[sub]3[/sub]). Red rust is loosely-bound and occupies a larger volume than the original iron of the blade, which is why red rust will pit the blade. The black oxide doesn't behave in the same manner, and instead is a stable and harder layer on the surface, which will help prevent that steel from later reacting with oxygen + water and forming rust. It's still possible to rust the steel, if the existing oxide layer is scratched/rubbed/sanded off, exposing un-oxidized steel underneath.

For a more uniform look using the vinegar, try dipping the blade into a HOT mix of vinegar + water. I did a few of mine this way (including a Case CV stockman), using the runoff into a coffee pot after de-scaling a coffee maker with a half & half mix of white vinegar and water; just dipped the blade into the hot mix (~180°F) for a few minutes. You can actually watch the patina form before your eyes; repeated 'dips' into the mix will darken it further, and also make it look more even. Scrubbing the blade afterward with some baking soda & water will neutralize any residual acidity, and will also scrub off any red rust that might've formed, along with some of the black oxide. That'll leave an even grey which is pretty attractive. Sharpening the blade, or stropping it with some compound, will scrub away the black oxide and leave a nice & shiny edge, in contrast to the patina.


David

 

[ellipticus]

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[pnsxyr]

I personally like the uneven patina and like the contrast of how yours came out (I am a big fan of bubble wrap and grapefruit flesh patinas which create an almost marble look).

For an even patina, what I generally use would be mustard or grapefruit juice to cover the blade entirely, alternate on-off a few times, make a patina a few shades darker than I wanted, and then buff the entire blade with a paper towel with a very slight amount of Barkeeper's Friend and water (slight, slight, slight). This small amount of abrasive slowly blends the colors. Upon reaching where I want to be, then I stop and thoroughly wash the blade off. Over a few months of usage the colors will change some, but they will remain relatively fixed.

 

[HwangJino]

I used to experiment with patina and colors.

I found that beef blood and green onions make a nice blue purple.hue while vinegar type acids will Grey the steel.

Of course the color never stays as it constantly changes



But I'd do a vinegar background with blood accents.
I'll show a pic later, photo bucket is being laggy

 

[ellipticus]

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[HwangJino]

Here's the dots I made the snake skin pattern