I was kinda curious to really see how difficult it was to anodize a 42 so I decided to give it a shot.
Heres a pic, (visit my photopoint account for a couple more pics)
I simply took a hand pocket torch which was $5 from my local hardware store. Then I commenced to torch the latch for about 15 and it began to change colors. First it starts out as a light yellow, then changes to a light orange, magenta, purple, and finally the same blue as 42A's have. I can't exactly remember, but I believe the temperature it takes to hit blue is about 2000 degress and then from that it stabilizes colors. Just as other members had done, a rainbow color would be easier because a specific temperature does not need to be kept. If you decide to anodize it to a specific color, say red, you would have to find the approximate temp and make sure your source of heat stays at that temperature. Since I think blue is the easiest color to reach and stabilize, it would be the color to choose if you wanted one solid color.
Although I didn't have much time to play with it, the color seems to be pretty stable. I can scratch it hard and the color won't come off. However, well see as time progresses.
All in all, I suggest trying your luck at it if you want some color.
I hope you enjoyed listening.
------------------
Dave
Some of my knives - http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950012&a=7073911
Heres a pic, (visit my photopoint account for a couple more pics)
I simply took a hand pocket torch which was $5 from my local hardware store. Then I commenced to torch the latch for about 15 and it began to change colors. First it starts out as a light yellow, then changes to a light orange, magenta, purple, and finally the same blue as 42A's have. I can't exactly remember, but I believe the temperature it takes to hit blue is about 2000 degress and then from that it stabilizes colors. Just as other members had done, a rainbow color would be easier because a specific temperature does not need to be kept. If you decide to anodize it to a specific color, say red, you would have to find the approximate temp and make sure your source of heat stays at that temperature. Since I think blue is the easiest color to reach and stabilize, it would be the color to choose if you wanted one solid color.
Although I didn't have much time to play with it, the color seems to be pretty stable. I can scratch it hard and the color won't come off. However, well see as time progresses.
All in all, I suggest trying your luck at it if you want some color.
------------------
Dave
Some of my knives - http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950012&a=7073911