K Bar spa day

[wbeatty]

Hey guys, Im doing a little job for a Guadalcanal vet, His K Bar. Ive got the blade squared away but I want to darken the blade, as dark as I can get it.
Heres the catch. Its got a stacked leather washer grip and I cant remove it. I was thinking Parkerize, but Im going to have to go a long way to protect the leather. Is there any other way to go? What is the black on Emersons?

 

[Broomhead]

One option, without having to soak the entire knife, is to use a cold bluing like Birchwood-Casey's Permablue. I have had success with it. Got a nice black-blue color. Just remember, though, it's only on the surface, it will scratch off.

 

[Kunklec]

Why not etch the blade in ferric chloride? Put it point down up to the guard. By repeated cleanings and etching, you can get a nice dark color that is fairly tough. Get the blade completely clean by washing in something like Dawn, rinse well, put into the acid. After a few minutes, take it out, rinse in running water and rub off loose oxides with paper towel, then repeat until you get the shade you want. It would be a good idea to use a little superglue in the blade-guard joint to keep the acid out. Then put in water with baking soda to neutralize, dry and oil.
Chip Kunkle