I did some heat coloring last night.

Steel130 · Jan 1, 2013

Last night I got inspired to try and do some heat coloring on a few knives hardware. I did two Spyderco pocket clips, and then a CRKT Ripple's pocket clip, pivot screws, and backspacers. The Ripple was my first attempt, the Blue Para 2 was my second. I realized that after those two I was getting finger print marks showing up in the coloring, so I thoroughly washed the last Para 2 clip and went a little slower. I really like how it turned out. It reminds me a bit of the " plumming " that old gun bluing gets. It is not as vibrant as titanium gets, but still cool. I want to experiment with some different finishes now.

Chris "Anagarika" · Jan 2, 2013

Nice!

How did you vary the color? My result is more or less uniformed brownish:

Steel130 · Jan 2, 2013

At first I was not sure how I got the blues and purples to appear. But after some reading and tips from some others. It appears slow, uniformed heat distribution is key. And the blues and purples come after the bronze/golden hues. So keep slowly evenly heating from the bronze color.

Omega Leather Works · Jan 2, 2013

What was your heat source/technique? I like that a lot.

Steel130 · Jan 3, 2013

Strigamort said:
What was your heat source/technique? I like that a lot.

I actually did it over a stove top haha.

Omega Leather Works · Jan 3, 2013

Steel130 said:
I actually did it over a stove top haha.

Nice! I'm gonna give it a go on my zippo first. Did you wrap them in foil or just burn away?

Chris "Anagarika" · Jan 4, 2013

Your stove must be better

Does it mean heat it again after bronze, or heat it longer than achieving bronze (glow further)?
Thanks!

Steel130 said:
I actually did it over a stove top haha.

flatblackcapo · Jan 4, 2013

If you go to far it will come out like this.I did quench it in water though so that might make a difference in the color.I have realized that you need to bring whatever you are heat coloring out of the heat and let the air get to it for a minute to see the color.

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Chris "Anagarika" · Jan 4, 2013

That one is nice! I'd try again ..

Steel130 · Jan 4, 2013

Chris "Anagarika";11684948 said:
Your stove must be better Does it mean heat it again after bronze, or heat it longer than achieving bronze (glow further)?
Thanks!

I believe it means to continue heating past the bronze. That is how I think I got the blues and purples on both ends because they were getting more flame longer. I am not 100% sure though, I would like to experiment more. @ Strigamort I did not wrap them in anything, I just burnt away

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Chris "Anagarika" · Jan 5, 2013

Thanks. I'll try again ... and also simply burn away

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Omega Leather Works · Jan 5, 2013

Hmm ... I don't recommend trying it with a zippo. The case distorted from the heat, and the lid is super loose now. Good thing it's a junker.

I did manage to get some pretty blue on the corners, but there is also some ugly brown staining.

I think a clip, due to its size and shape, would be easier.