Nitre blueing qurstion

Jim McGuinn

Jim McGuinn

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Sep 8, 2013
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I am going to nitre blue some damascus bolsters should I etch them first or polish to a mirror shine?​
 
Just a comment on nitre bluing blades.
Some worry about the blade hardness being damaged because the bluing salts are heated to 550-600F ( sometimes 700F). The blade is only in the salts for a few seconds, and the temper is not affected at all. The blue color is a surface effect, so additional time will not change it much at all. Just plunge the spotlessly clean blade in the salts and remove after 5 seconds. Rinse well in running water.
 
Chuck Gedraitis Knives said:
Mirror polish, clean with soap and water and then then blue. Whose damascus, some blue better than others.
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Thanks for the advice. I've done some before where we etched first then buffed before salts. But I was not satisfied with the results.
Its just some Alabama damascus random pattern.
 
There is most likely not enough nickel in that damascus to get good results, you'll just get a blue without much contrast. You'll have to experiment but I can guess that you will need to etch lightly and then blue to be able to see the pattern. If you want more contrast then Eggerling damascus is the way to go.
 
It really depends Chuck I have seen Brad and his boys use a fair amount of nickel sheet and 203e in the past when I have been there. Make sure to really get it sanded and polished well and it should turn out nice.
Post a picture when your done blueing it. I would love to see the finished blade.
 
Thanks again for the input guess I'll just have to give it a try.
The blade is from Robert Eggerlig and it came out stunning pure black and bright silver.
 
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