Heat blueing

skilldust · Nov 19, 2009

How long, under normal use, will a deep, dark, heat blueing last? This just happened and it was way too nice to just sand off, so I finished the knife.
I will get some pictures this eve.and try to post. But I sure need to know how good that finish will be.
Thanks very much, Jerry

JTknives · Nov 19, 2009

So it's blue from tempering? How hot did you temper it as blue usley means it got to hot, some stainless and air hardening steels need to get that hot though. But with all that aside. If it's from tempering the color won't last as it will come off farley easy. But if it's from the heat treating quench in oil then it will last a bit longer. It's just hard to get a even unaforum color with the metioned ways and I would not consider them a finish coating. But if you want to go blue like gun blue you can get instant gun blue in a bottle that works good. Just clean up your blade and sand to a fine grit and then rub on the chemical and let it sit. There is also blueing salts but you have to heat them up and then soake your blade in them. I have never used them before. O ya and there is a process called parkerizing that works good to.

Bill Burke · Nov 19, 2009

Hey JT it is not as hard to get an even UNIFORM heat color as it is to get you to check your spelling. but you are correct in that the color will come off easily.

JTknives · Nov 19, 2009

Bill Burke said:
Hey JT it is not as hard to get an even UNIFORM heat color as it is to get you to check your spelling. but you are correct in that the color will come off easily.

sorry it was late and i forgot to check that post

, but its fixed. getting an even tempering color is easy i guess just make sure its clean when it goes in but ya it comes off easy.

Bill Burke · Nov 19, 2009

No problem JT I was just hardassing you a little. No hard feelings?

jim moyer · Nov 19, 2009

Bill Burke said:
No problem JT I was just hardassing you a little. No hard feelings?

Ouch, someone must have drained your scotch bottle:grumpy::grumpy:

Bill Burke · Nov 19, 2009

jim moyer said:
Ouch, someone must have drained your scotch bottle:grumpy::grumpy:

Naw I just woke up with a headache and trying to read JT's post made it hurt worser

but i did say i was sorry, kinda

R.C.Reichert · Nov 20, 2009

Bill Burke said:
Naw I just woke up with a headache and trying to read JT's post made it hurt worser but i did say i was sorry, kinda

That's why you need some of that scotch.

Or is that why you had the headache to begin with.:barf:

JTknives · Nov 20, 2009

Bill Burke said:
No problem JT I was just hardassing you a little. No hard feelings?

No problem at all. At least I know you care

R.C.Reichert · Nov 20, 2009

Anyways, the gun blue finish does work, but all these are just on the surface. Start chopping into some wood with that knife and the blue will start wearing off, like pretty much anything else. I like an antique finish better, at least it wears well.

skilldust · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks fellows, I told the customer, I didn't know how long it would last and if he didn't want it , I did. He said " No. hell no, I want it, I want it." Then he ordered another one to use, said that one would not be used.
When I can get some time I will get some pictures.
Thanks again, Jerry