Non Reflective Blade finishes...

S

shane justice

Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
1,606
Well felas...I have been bustin' tale trying to get a blade ready for this soldier...

I tested the proto to destruction last night...it cut extreemely well...edge flexed just fine...and now it is dead...

Up early this morning....I have the blade up to mirror on the faces...and at an 800 cork finish on the full convex bevel...

Now I gotta make a decision...

I want a no glare blade..there is no time for fancy factory coatings...otherwise I would send it for boron carbide.

I can :
A) have it sand blasted with a vey light grit...this will leave the grain open and may cause it to rust...not sure if rust is a big issue in Iraq...

B) Ferric etch and leave it a dull gray....

C) Leave the whole thing at a 600 cork and let the soldier spray paint it as is needed in the field....

Guard and pommel are 416 stainless...handle is g10....

I am leaning towards sandblasting it all.....

I got two hours to decide....

HELP!

Shane
 
I like the ferric etch, it's not really very durrable, but as long as it's well nutralized, it can be painted if He needs.
 
Try some Perma Blue...liquid gun blue. I got mine at Wall Mart. Boil some water and set your blade in it after you turn it off. The water won't get hot enough to mess with your heat treat. Wipe it on when the blade is hot. It sets the blue a little deeper. I'm guessing the blade is 52100 or 5160.

Larry
 
52100 and a hidden tang blade like that with a modified Michael Price grind... you going to make a sheephorn handle for that? ;)
 
Sandblast it. I had no rust issues in Iraq. As long as he knows to take care of it, it will be fine.
 
could you sandblast it then blue it? the sandblast would break up reflection and the blue would make it a little more stealth? never seen an example, but it sounds like it might be cool
 
On a carbon blade I would go with a ferric etch,,,,

Bead blasted alone will set it up for corrosion no matter where in the world it goes. Blasting will also slow it's cutting ability down a bit because the bevels become abrasive on what they cut.
 
where do you send your blades for boron carbide? I'd love to get that done.
Thanks,
~Brian
 
Thanks for all the advice guys!

It seemd like a simple question...turns out like all simple things...It wasn't!

So you all know...I got emails from several guys..and combined with that and all the stuff I learned here...I talked to the customer last night...

He said a nonreflective finish made no difference to him...at need he can make it so ...in 15 minutes...he said I can do my normal finish without worries...

WOOHOO!

So this blade will get a light ferric etch and then a bright buff...should look good witht he stainless fittings!

I gotta get back in the shop!

Thanks to everybody...

I think Body Cote(sp?) does boron carbide...

I will post a pic when finish!

Shane
 
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