natural vs forced patina

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
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In the past I've forced the patina on the FEW carbon blades that I've owned, thinking about letting my barkie take on a natural patina.. of the patina is there anyadvantage to a forced patina???
 
The only thing I've ever heard is that a forced patina wears off quicker than a natural one. Dunno if there's any truth to that.

I find a forced patina is more uniform. Plus, if you get fancy with mustard and vinager, you can do some nice designs.
 
To my eye, they seem the same but the "forced" can be more uniform and to the darkness desired right away. I guess I do a lazy mans forced, I cut lots of stuff in the kitchen right away, and just don't wipe off the blade right away :D Either way though, a patina on a nice carbon blade wins hands down over bright and shiny on a working knife.
 
Uniformity of the forced patina is a difference. I never take the time personally.

One of the easiest ways I've ever done it (accidentally) was to cut up a pineapple with a carbon knife. Instant patina.
 
Thanks guys.... I'm starting to dig the carbon I don't know how to say it but the steel feels more real if that makes any sense... it also takes an edge like a lazer...been using grapesed oil on my blade between uses but I think I'm using to much....
 
What are some things you can use to force a patina on a carbon blade and are there different shades you will get from different substances? I've personally never done a forced one but I love the way it looks on my users so I might need to try this on a few of my newer users that don't have it yet.
 
I had really good luck doing this:

Apply mustard in random splotches
Let it dry, it'll turn black
Steel Wool it off
Repeat a few times. I did 5.
Soak the blade in hot vinigar to uniform patina any areas that didn't get mustarded(if that's a word)

What you end up with is differing swirls caused by the mustard on a uniformly darkened blade from the vinigar.

If you search this forum for patina, I think there was someone who posted pictures.
 
Dylside said:
What are some things you can use to force a patina on a carbon blade and are there different shades you will get from different substances? I've personally never done a forced one but I love the way it looks on my users so I might need to try this on a few of my newer users that don't have it yet.
Click to expand...

Mustard, I prefer a nice horseradish varity myself of course the Jack Daniels version has some benefits as well. Of version I am talking about bourbon not mustard.

Vinagar can be used as well

go out to your local cow pasture, get a couple scoops of "meadow muffins" stick the blade in there, pull it out every once and awhile to see how it is doing. This is a process called Browning, yes this is a real method.

One important thing to remember is that to get a nice even forced patina the blade must be clean. Skin oils or other residues will reek havoc on the finish.
 
I bought a tube of cold blueing paste from the gun store for about $4. Havent tried any of the improvised methods, but the commercial blueing compound seems to work very well and is easy to give an even finish.
 
Follow the links I posted into this thread. Among other patina info, they lead to some pics of a patina I did to the A2 hi-carbon steel blade on an Okuden Sharp Thing II (ST2) with Miracle Whip.
 
One good thing about a forced patina is that you can sand it off if you don't like it.

I like mustard and vinegar either alone or together. I also like to experiment with different methods. I like random patterns for my users.

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Going to be trying a new idea this week on a couple projects.
 
I prefer the natural way--fruit is good--but I have used all the condiments. I just end up buffing it off and going back to using natural methods.
 
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