I don't like shiny Spyderco clips.... and I found a way to make them look better IMO.

C

clockman

Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
3,176
I posted a thread in Maintenance and Embellishment asking if anyone had ever use gun bluing to maker Spydie shiny clips darker.

A member said he puts the clip in the center of the burner of a gas stove while he cooks food. The clip turns a light brown color.

I took it one step farther and put both ends directly in the flame....the ends turned a pretty blue gold muli color and the middle is light brown.

I heated up hot water for a few cups of tea and a can of chili on medium heat to get this change. My m4 Millie looks Much better now IMO.I did another clip
from another brand at the same time and it turned a darker brown. I just started doing the clip on my orange Millie.....I like a color a lot better than a

shiny clip.

Sorry I don't know how to post pics.

Anyone else out there who's not a fan of shiny clips ?
 
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I'm not worrried about the spring tempering to much....the steel in the clip moves so little I don't think it matters too much.
 
glad this helped. :D

as far as tempering, i don't know but i have heat colored several clips and so far i can't tell any difference in tension nor an broken clip. my stretch has been heated twice since i've got it, the first time more than a year ago.
 
beadblasted.

2011-12-20_21-26-24_900.jpg
 
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I've done this for a few years now. I don't think the temper is effected at all. At least they behave in the exact same way and none have ever broke or bent. The color does fade in time as it will wear off and get scratched. When this happens I just polish the clip to get rid of the scratches and redo the color. I also use a propane torch and not the stove, but any heat source will work.
 
I like the burner idea. I'll have to try it.

[video=youtube;q5UuhvitYqs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5UuhvitYqs[/video]
 
After a bit of experimentation I've settled on scotchbriting them, then brushing them with matte black Gun Kote and baking them in the toaster oven.
 
Stone wash it. Put it in a plastic bottle with some small smooth pebbles, shot of WD-40 or Tri-Flow and toss in the dryer. Wrapping in a towel helps with the noise.
P1090336.jpg
 
I don't like them shiny either. I sanded the clip on my PARA with a medium grit paper, and finished with a scotch bright pad.
Gives them a nice kinda matte finish.
 
I hate the finish on my Manix II M4. I just haven't got the nads yet to do anything. I'll wait until its all scratched up.
 
Nice work on the stone wash. FWIW I've never been a fan of shiny clips .While I don't hide the fact that I carry a knife, I don't see the need to advertise it either. I usually just buy a few spare black clips as they're usually only about $5.00 from SFO. Other than that I've a blasting cabinet handy.

Bo
 
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