Got my first camp knife. Now what?

T

TheShaun

Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
9
Mora Companion (carbon) just arrived. Love the look and feel. I know I want to force a patina and like the look of the darker patina. Thinking vinegar for 24 hours should do it but I've never done it before. Thoughts on this?

I also want to be able to use the spine on a firesteel. I understand that I should probably square the spine, but how? Keep in mind I live in the downtown core of a major city and don't own a grinding wheel.

What else should I do to it?
 
hey bro,

you can square the spine a number of ways with only hand tools, you can use a steel file, sharpening stone or my favourite a dmt diafold sharpener, just keep whatever tool your using at 90 degree's to the spine and push one way, its as simple as that. Also theres many youtube vids on modding moras to personalise your new knife and get it set up to best suit your needs, with a mora the sky really is the limit when it comes to mods.
 
Welcome to the forums. Your patina plan will work perfectly, sounds like you know what to do. What you have is a bushcraft knife, a camp knife is usually a big chopper or splitter, something you would use to make camp with. For the spine, I suggest squaring it off with a metal file, be careful not to overheat the blade when filing. Enjoy the companion, its a great knife, I have 2.
 
I suppose i should square the spine before doing the patina.

in order to get the vinegar to cover the whole blade I will have to get the handle into the vinegar a bit. will the vinegar do any harm to the plastic?
 
TheShaun said:
I suppose i should square the spine before doing the patina.

in order to get the vinegar to cover the whole blade I will have to get the handle into the vinegar a bit. will the vinegar do any harm to the plastic?
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You can coat the blade with yellow mustard or mayonaise and let it sit. Or slice potatoes or onions.
 
I have used mustard, tobasco, lemon, lime, apples, vinegar, etc to patina a blade.

Clean the blade off well with alcohol or acetone well. If you have any oil left on the blade, it won't work on that spot as well.

I also like to heat up vinegar on the stove, and repeatedly apply to the blade with a cotton swab, or other applicator (like cotton ball, or paper towel). DO NOT DO THIS WHILE YOUR WIFE IS HOME! OR THE KIDS FOR THAT MATTER! They will complain and complain (:My eyes burn, that stinks, smells horrible, honey what on earth is that awful smell!")

I have also done vinegar soaked wrap (paper towel, or toilet paper wrapped around the blade, and then wet with the vinegar (balsamic, white, etc)). Leave as long as you want. You will get a very hard, deep patina. Paper towels will leave an interesting pattern!)

You can also etch designs into the steel with the mustard. It is thick enough to make designs (experiment for a short time, and if you like it, you can actually etch the steel deep enough that even if you polish it, it will have the pattern).
 
You can do the spine with a hand drill and a small grinding wheel, buy an axe file, go to your local tech. or high school and ask them to use one of their standing grinders. Use a light touch.
 
The handle shouldnt be too affected by vinegar, maybe a little gaffer tape near the top of it in case.
 
upnorth said:
. . . go to your local tech. or high school and ask them to use one of their standing grinders.. . .
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Call the school first - in many areas carrying a knife onto school property has about the same consequences as carrying a gun onto school property.
 
I've used the concrete outside to repair / regrind a broken tip in a pinch, what can I say, it works.
 
Mustard and pickle juice will also give you a nice patina. I've done a 510 and a few others that way. Mix the two together and dab it on with a paper towel then let it sit.
 
tango alfa sierra said:
Call the school first - in many areas carrying a knife onto school property has about the same consequences as carrying a gun onto school property.
Click to expand...

Good call, I wasn't thinking in those terms. I have taken a few shovels down to modify on their standing floor grinders. This option may not be viable.
 
I've used a small file to square the spine on a couple of Moras. Put some tape over the edge to help prevent mishaps. And remember, patience is a virtue. The metal is easy to take off but impossible to put back on. You could also use a round file on the spine to match your ferro rod. Another half round notch towards the tip can be used to catch the wire handle on a pot and move it on and off the fire.
 
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