Knife finish? Bluing or ?

rodriguez7

rodriguez7

Gila wilderness knife works
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
1,428
Can anyone recommend a blade finish, I’ve tried some gun bluing before, but I didn’t like the smell, and I would imagine it wouldn’t be good for skinning, maybe toxic. I know winkler has his caswell finished blades, is that similar. I like the dark finish, rustic look. Vinegar just darkens it a little. Like a grey color. Any recommendations? Thanks.
 
Any acid will darken the blade. The strength of the acid and the amount of time will determine the effect.
Ferric chloride is the standard.
White Vinegar is also good. Heating it up (I would not boil it indoors) will speed the process and deepen the color.
Other acidic things from lemon juice to mustard are used.
There are also bleach and bleach mustard recipes.

Once a blade has been etched to darken the color, it should be neutralized to get the excess acid out of the pores and microscopic grooves. Boiling in a solution of a gallon of water and a tablespoon of baking soda is best, but washing well with soap and hot water followed by cleaning with TSP or windex ( or an ammonia based cleaner) will do fine.

A final soak in near boiling strong coffee will make a very black surface.

Realize that all blade surface coloring is only a few microns thick on the surface, and will be affected by polishing/wear/scratching.
 
Thanks Stacey, I like the coffe idea. If I use ferric Chloride, and neutralize after, will it be food safe? And I understand that it’s just the outside, thin coat.
 
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