Help with gransfors axe finish....

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d.weglarz13

Joined
Jun 4, 2008
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1,945
Okay guys. I have a gransfors bruise axe, and it came with the beautiful forge scale finish that they are known for. The problem is, on one side of the axe, there is a big 2 inch circle that is exposed steel, right in the middle of the beautiful grey forge scale. Now I know it is purely for aesthetics, but what can I do to darken this area some, to match the rest?

There is another similar thread but it's for a stainless knife, not a high carbon steel, and not like a Gransfors Bruks forge finish. So, any ideas what I can do? I don't want to make it worse, but it's really bothering me. It looks horrible right in the middle like that.

Anyone familiar with GB axes with any ideas?

I heard maybe something called Ospho? I don't know what that is, or maybe ferric chloride? If these would work, where can I buy some?

Thanks for any help.....


Dave
 
You can try to protect the finish with BLO. It won't completely stop it from wearing off though.

Ferric Chloride will force a patina onto the steel and darken it. I'm not really sure how well that will match the forged scale though. It might even take it off. The scale is usually impurities brought out from the forging process (from what i understand) and the Ferric Chloride will basically rust the surface of the steel causing a patina.

You could try polishing the rest of the axe head to get rid of the scale and then using the Ferric Chloride to force a patina for an even finish. It might last longer, but i have no clue.
 
You can probably throw a dark patina on the spot so it'll blend in some. Other than that you can sand off the scale and polish the whole head.
 
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