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I need to make my Kukri more tactical...

A

Azsoldier

Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
193
I am thinking of a no glare CHEAP DIY finish.

Both of my kukris are mirror polished and I plan on taking them with me to the 'BOX.

They need to have thier blades darkened.

How do I do this.

I cannot HEAT BLUE them, the handles will come off.

I did notice that cactus juice gave one a dark area.
 
Anything with acid , from vinegar ,lemon juice etc .You might want to cut the high polish first with 400 grit abrasive paper.
 
Vinegar, as Mete stated, works well; here's an HI khuk that has been etched with vinegar (just let the brass tarnish:D ):
24d4y83.jpg

Regards,
Greg
 
You could also tape the handles and sand blast it. That gives a no glare finish and if you put a little beeswax on it, it will turn light Grey.

If you want a rust free, darker finish, go to any good paint store and buy some Ospho.

That will give it a mottled Grey finish (slight etching) and will make it nearly rust proof.

If you want rustproof black. Rust the blade some using vinegar and then apply Ospho. It will turn it black black.
 
Peter,
Thanks for the tip...I plan on getting a Villiger AK very soon and I was wondering how to keep it from rusting..

Thanks! :)
 
peter...that Ospho sounds very interesting...will have to check it out!


Don't forget bleach - will give you that "aged" look. Put some cold bluing on top of it and you're done.
 
I broke down and bought some Perma-Blue, by Brookwood Casey or something from wally world tonight.

I started with my old ww2 kabar, something I knew I would love even if I messed it up bluing it.

I followed the directions and scrubbed it with detergent and abrasive sponge.

Then I degreased it with brake kleen.

Then I used a small tootsie roll size piece of rolled cotton batting from my first aid kit clipped in a gator clip.

I dipped it in the bottle of perma blue. I wiped it on my blade.

WOW! It was like a black marker! Instant Bluing! I did what the bottle said and after a min rinsed it and scrubbed it with steel wool. I think the steel wool imparts something to the reaction, it got much darker.

I repeated this about three times with the Kabar. Turned out very nice Blue Black.

Now the Khukuris were a different matter. They were more difficult.
The AK is not as dark as the Kabar after the same treatment and the Service One is kinda greenish. :|

While being a lil blotchy and weird in the colors, it accomplished the goal of darkening the blades. I even did my lil biltong kukri which turned out great.

They all passed the night test. The 2 big ones just look like dog poo in day light. I think I will scrub them extra clean tomorrow and blue some more.

Price: 3.89
 
Azsoldier said:
ripper,

describe your process.
Click to expand...
Sand/steel wool the blade (I use a scotchbrite wheel). Mask off the handle. Clean the blade; TSP works well for this. I fill a container big enough to put the khuk upright in with white vinegar. I put the container in the sun to warm up a bit then put the khuk in. Just check it every so often till it's etched enough; then rinse, dry and oil. If it's streaked, steel wool it with fresh steel wool dipped in the vinegar, rinse and repeat the dip.
Regards,
Greg
 
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