Most efficient way to finish non stainless steel

[dzlvs8]

Ok. I am switching to stainless steel now but I have 12 ft of 1080 left over. I want to use it but I am sick of spending way too much time getting a perfect satin finish with perfect grind lines only to see it patina and rust on the people I sell them to (improper care). I would like to do a simpler finish, such as an acid etch, on the blades in order to make finishing these knives WAY easier and also hide patina/rust better.

What is the most efficient way to get an easy, finish that will hide patina and rust and also allow me to not have to wont cause me to do tons and tons of finish sanding. I'm done wasting my time on non stainless!!!!! I think the way to go is an acid etch.

If so, before I acid etch should I

1. bead blast the black scale that is currently on the knife from heat treating
2. sant the black scale that is currently on the knife from heat treating
3. or do nothing and go straight to the acid etching

I've never acid etched before.

 

[AVigil]

With 1080 no matter what finish you use it will rust and patina if you do not keep it cleaned and oiled. On my 1084 blades I take them to 400 grit then green scotch brite belt and a rub down with 0000 steel wool.

If rust or a patina starts to develop and it is not wanted then I instruct them to take a green scotch brite pad to it and followed by 0000 steel wool and then oil the blade.

It works well to keep clean. Personally I let the patina and just keep it oiled.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

It works well to keep clean. Personally I let the patina and just keep it oiled.

This^^

The end user should be made aware of the proper care for carbon steels. There's nothing in 1080 to keep it from developing a patina, and rust is a matter of choice (laziness or not bothering to understand the steels potential, both good and bad). Rust borders on abuse in my way of thinking.

For your customers that have issues, you're probably doing the right thing by making knives in ss.

If you really want to protect the blade from knuckle headed behavior, have them cerakoted. This will improve the rust resistance to most of the knife, but does nothing to the cutting edge.

There's no good answer barring normal care.

 

[dzlvs8]

FYI, the crazy thing is that I have been triple coating them in ezox. Ezox is a steel protector that, although toxic, dries on the knife and is good to up to 450 degress (or something like that). Yet, I cut one salty item with one of my knives and it had a very very small amount of patina INSTANTLY. The person that reported rust has only owned the knife for a few months and only uses it to cut open mail. The rust is on the tang where he grabs the knife. So, I assume the salt in is hand is causing the rust. The weird thing is, I don't have any problems with rust yet. Granted I haven't cut any food but one thing so far. Oh well, I guess I am glad that I am switching to SS.

 

[S.Alexander]

Bead blasting carbon steel can cause it to rust faster. This a due to all the little pits collecting moisture.

To remove your heat treat scale, soak your knife in vinegar overnight. Then you can rub the remainder off with steel wool.

A forced acid patina like vinegar can protect your knife from unwanted patina (spotting), but not from rust. Only proper care will prevent rust. Another option is cold bluing the knife. Again it's not rust proof, but is better than bare metal.

ETA- You also have to finish your knives as you usually do before doing an acid patina. It won't hide scratch or grind lines.

 

[dzlvs8]

Bead blasting carbon steel can cause it to rust faster. This a due to all the little pits collecting moisture.

To remove your heat treat scale, soak your knife in vinegar overnight. Then you can rub the remainder off with steel wool.

A forced acid patina like vinegar can protect your knife from unwanted patina (spotting), but not from rust. Only proper care will prevent rust. Another option is cold bluing the knife. Again it's not rust proof, but is better than bare metal.

ETA- You also have to finish your knives as you usually do before doing an acid patina. It won't hide scratch or grind lines.

thanks for the info. That helps. I knew that a bead blast wood cause rust but I wasn't sure if the acid would get rid of the sand blasting. That was the main question. Thanks for answering.