My Saturday Journey with a K390 PM2

PM2Phanatic

PM2Phanatic

Joined
Jan 19, 2021
Messages
62
First and foremost, this would not have been possible without the Flytanium Carbon Fiber scales and SUPER fast shipping from Christo4958 - again - Thank You, Sir.

So, today my Spyderco Paramilitary 2 in K390 arrived. This is my second time having K390, the first was a result of "FrankenSpydie" consisting of a K390 blade bought alone off fleabay, and some leftover, unwanted grips from a REX45 I bought off reddit. I "Shipwrecked" the scales, Patina'd the blade, and sold to a buddy of mine, and regretted it. This one is the Bento Box, and wouldn't you know it, I had it apart as soon as the box was opened, and ready to go.
IMG_4374.JPG

So, first things first, the "mix". This is 1/2 tsp of each - Chinese Hot Mustard, French's Yellow, Heinz57, Dill Pickle Juice, Habanero Hot Sauce, and Jalapeno Juice - mix it up, do NOT lick the spoon....you WILL regret it.. I lightly dab onto a CLEAN blade, (meaning spraying with Alcohol, and using a paper-towel while wearing nitrile gloves, and giving a good once over, allow to dry), using a q-tip, cover the entire blade, make sure to get the spine, "spydie-hole" pivot, jimping, etc. Then, allow it to sit - for 30 minutes.
IMG_4376.JPG
IMG_4379.JPG

After 30 minutes have passed, wash with common dish soap and hot water. You will have something like this:

IMG_4382.JPG IMG_4383.JPG

If you look closely, you can see where the patina is starting to take shape, this is a good base, and is now followed with another "layer". Again, spray with alcohol wearing gloves, clean the blade, allow to dry, and REALLY layer on the mix, getting all the before discussed areas, and now - wrap in a dry clean papertowel. I like to double it up, lay the blade in the center, then kind of "roll it up". Add pressure, you can lay a book on top, or use a rubber band. Allow to sit for another 30 minutes.

IMG_4386.JPG IMG_4387.JPG

Unwrap your Mustard/Steel burrito, and once again, clean with dish soap and hot water. If you are happy with the results....re-assemble. If not, keep going until you get the pattern/color(s) you want. I decided this was my final result, so I assembled my knife, making sure to lube, sharpen on ceramics, and stropping. Now, I have THIS:
 
Last edited:
You are a maniac. I mean that in the best possible way.

I would never do this, but I love looking at the great results you got.
 
My rex45 shaman has a bit more of a natural patina but I enjoy your pm2 patina!
 
Epic! I'm building a natural patina on my Maxamet PM2. It's been my daily user as a test case and it's changing nicely. Still great to see what you have done!
 
Epic! I'm building a natural patina on my Maxamet PM2. It's been my daily user as a test case and it's changing nicely. Still great to see what you have done!
Click to expand...
Been wondering what Maxamet Patina would look like, and if it would be a good steel to force....of the ones I have done, what I have learned is, 52100 does a grey'ish with some very slight blues, REX 45 does a grey/black tiger stripe type patina, but that could have been the application, will know more when I do the Shaman today, and of course, both the K390's I've done results in a very nice blues/rainbow effect.
 
I've never forced a patina on a blade but am interested in doing so on my recently acquired BBS K390 PM2.

I have a few questions:

1. Does the acidic nature of the products used compromise the structural integrity of steel?

2. Does it negatively affect the steel composition?

3. Are there any negative impacts to it?

4. Can a forced patina be easily removed?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.
 
PM2Phanatic said:
^^^ - what he said....patina is nothing more than oxidation on the blade, like rust, BUT, rust is bad, where as a patina can actually help protect the blade.
Click to expand...
Yes, protection, all of my carbon steel user blades get a good cleaning then stuck in a potato for the patina as to protect them, plus it gives a random pattern.
Have a great day to all, Troy
 
Has anyone done an experiment to verify that this sort of patina protects the blade? I have a couple of knives in M4 I am considering giving a similar treatment.
 
pholder said:
Yes, protection, all of my carbon steel user blades get a good cleaning then stuck in a potato for the patina as to protect them, plus it gives a random pattern.
Have a great day to all, Troy
Click to expand...
Have you tried this with REX45 steel? Me and my Native Chief are curious..
 
My M4 Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2 develops pepper spots, even after a full blade patina. It’s sort of just the nature of these types of steels.

Saying that, the patina has helped limit the amount of corrosion.

I don’t worry about it much, I just use it and enjoy the character. If I was so inclined, I could polish it shiny again, but I don’t feel the need to.
 
Here is my original work knife- a franken-Manix 2 with black G10 and M4 blade. I bought it used so I don't know its history, it has always looked like this. The blade looks like an old tool that you bought at a flea market. If I carry it while I'm working out in the yard and sweating a lot, it will definitely pick up orange rust, but it cleans off easily. I think the natural patina has also been darker at various times, some of it comes off with aggressive cleaning. If you don't do forced patina of your carbon steel blades then they will eventually look like this unless you put a lot of attention into keeping them coated. I have one of the Jade/M4 versions of the PM2 in my EDC rotation. I use it to cut fruit occasionally and I wipe it off but I don't put a lot of time into keeping it clean or coated. I bought it new so however long they have been out that's how long I've carried it. It has hints of patina forming, just a little bit, so a carbon steel blade can be silver for a long time under reasonably good conditions.

9h5WmVz.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top