How to put a patina on ZDP?

singularity35

singularity35

Joined
Mar 1, 2010
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I've tried mustard and only have the slightest barely noticeable patina. What should I use to have a darker patina on my ZDP Endura?
 
ZDP has a ton of chromium. Yes a lot of it is tied up in carbides but there is still plenty for corrosion resistance. I have never understood why people complain about ZDP and corrosion because I have never had a problem and never given it any extra care. There might have been a slight darkening of the steel from when it was brand new but that's it. I'm not sure ZDP is capable of developing a real patina other than a slight darkening effect. It is definitely not a carbon steel and will behave differently.


You can try leaving the blade in straight vinegar over night but I don't think you will get what you are looking for. Ferric chloride might do the trick but I don't have enough experience with it to recommend it. I would just be happy that you have a blade that you don't have to worry about.
 
Hmm thanks. I'm asking because I did manage to get a few pinpricks of rust spots that left pitting(tiny though) on the blade. I guess that it was not as dry as I thought it was when I put it away. Two weeks later when I rotated my EDC, there the pinpricks were. I sanded them out but the pits are there.
 
Just use the knife well, cut many things, have fun doing it, and voila, REAL patina, the way intended!
 
jimh0220 said:
Just use the knife well, cut many things, have fun doing it, and voila, REAL patina, the way intended!
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

However, if you want your knife to look as if it were used right off the bat, try using a chemical drain clog solvent.

I opened up a bottle of some nasty "goes through standing water" stuff for use out on the job, and the first half inch of my stainless blade (Spyderco Tenacious doing duty as a work knife) discolored within a few minutes, and then rusted by the end of the day.

Actually, just about anything with a healthy dose of contain sodium hydroxide or sodium hypochlorite will work. As will muratic (pool cleaning agent) acid. We use the muratic acid to clean dirty grout, and cutting away the internal bottle seal before using always stains my knives.

Personally, I just use 'em.

Robert
 
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