having a blade blued

[Ice-man28]

When having a blade blued do you do it before or after HT? Second What is the best steel to blue? I have a 0-1 blank billet is that OK or should I get something else? Thanks for all the info you can supply.

Todd

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A google on bluing will help you understand the process.
The bluing is the last thing done on the blade. Any work afterward will mess up the bluing job.
Stacy

 

[rocketmann]

O1 is one of the best steels for bluing.. ( so says MS Bert Gaston). Be sure to oil the blade as soon as you are done or it will flash rust.