- Joined
- Jan 27, 2007
- Messages
- 6,518
I got the Spyderco Gayle Bradley a couple weeks ago, and it's a very well-done working knife. The blade was stained a little when I got it, and over the last week it had really gotten blotchy.
Here's what I started with:
Now, I figured that with only 4% Cr in the alloy (therefor not stainless), M4 might take a good forced patina with cider vinegar; heating the blade under hot tap water, drying it, then swabbing on the vinegar (brought just to a boil) left me with a rather ugly pattern. I didn't bother with pics, I'll just let it suffice to say it was a failed endeavor, other than learning a good lesson in how some modern high carbon steels behave differently from the more classic carbon steels like U.S. Schrade's old 1095.
So, I decided I'd try some Birchwood-Casey gun blueing solution. I bought a Carl Schleipper Stockman pattern with carbon steel blades from another member a while back, on which the owner had used gun bluing solution on the blades. They turned out really well. So, I was inspired to try the B-C cold blue on the M4 blade of the Gayle Bradley. I figured after the M4 blade of the GB came out blotchier after the vinegar treatment, I'd see if the B-C cold blue would even up the color tone. (This is a pic of comoha's work on the Schleipper: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-On-1095-Carbon-Steel?p=10538096#post10538096)
Here's the blade when I started:
After an initial cleaning with alcohol, swabbing with B-C cold blue, a dunk in cold water & drying off; I repeated this twice. At this point, you can see the odd etch lines that really stood out, apparently from the cider treatment. I figured I'd just end up with a nasty-ugly blade, but I started polishing the blade with Flitz after each swab-dunk-dry sequence to see if that would help.
Here it is after seven more swab-dunk-dry-polish-alcohol wipe sequences. It was slowly taking on a more even tone with each sequence, and I decided to stop at ten sequences. In the bottom pic you can see a little more of the faint blotchiness that was still showing through; the camera picked it up really well, but in hand you'd have to look for it.
Overall, I'm happy with the results. I'll try another bluing cycle in April, after the blade has been used for a few more weeks.
I'd like to hear what you guys think of this, and any ideas or suggestions you have, if I need to do something differently.
And a big thumbs up to Mr. Gayle Bradley for a great knife design. :thumbup:
~Chris
Here's what I started with:
Now, I figured that with only 4% Cr in the alloy (therefor not stainless), M4 might take a good forced patina with cider vinegar; heating the blade under hot tap water, drying it, then swabbing on the vinegar (brought just to a boil) left me with a rather ugly pattern. I didn't bother with pics, I'll just let it suffice to say it was a failed endeavor, other than learning a good lesson in how some modern high carbon steels behave differently from the more classic carbon steels like U.S. Schrade's old 1095.
So, I decided I'd try some Birchwood-Casey gun blueing solution. I bought a Carl Schleipper Stockman pattern with carbon steel blades from another member a while back, on which the owner had used gun bluing solution on the blades. They turned out really well. So, I was inspired to try the B-C cold blue on the M4 blade of the Gayle Bradley. I figured after the M4 blade of the GB came out blotchier after the vinegar treatment, I'd see if the B-C cold blue would even up the color tone. (This is a pic of comoha's work on the Schleipper: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-On-1095-Carbon-Steel?p=10538096#post10538096)
Here's the blade when I started:
After an initial cleaning with alcohol, swabbing with B-C cold blue, a dunk in cold water & drying off; I repeated this twice. At this point, you can see the odd etch lines that really stood out, apparently from the cider treatment. I figured I'd just end up with a nasty-ugly blade, but I started polishing the blade with Flitz after each swab-dunk-dry sequence to see if that would help.
Here it is after seven more swab-dunk-dry-polish-alcohol wipe sequences. It was slowly taking on a more even tone with each sequence, and I decided to stop at ten sequences. In the bottom pic you can see a little more of the faint blotchiness that was still showing through; the camera picked it up really well, but in hand you'd have to look for it.
Overall, I'm happy with the results. I'll try another bluing cycle in April, after the blade has been used for a few more weeks.
I'd like to hear what you guys think of this, and any ideas or suggestions you have, if I need to do something differently.
And a big thumbs up to Mr. Gayle Bradley for a great knife design. :thumbup:
~Chris
Last edited:
