parkerizing questions

[SDS]

I saw that paintitred has a question posted about parkerizing but didn't want to hijack his thread to ask my questions so I figured I'd ask my own questions.

1 - When you parkerize, how high are the temps of the solution?

2 - Does all parkerizing have to be done to bare metal only or can you also do it after handles have been applied (G10)? If you parkerize without handles on I would assume that all handle shaping would have to be done prior to the parkerizing to prevent grinding/sanding away the parkerized surfaces where the handle meets the tang?

3 - If you were to parkerize a blade that had a guard soldered in place would the solution affect the solder or the guard (stainless) adversely? Would the finish look different on the stainless guard vs. the blade if it is also something like ATS-34?

4 - Last one, I promise......what are the advantages of parkerizing vs. beadblasting if the parkerized surface is just to hold oil or rust preventative??

Thanks,
SDS

 

[308sniper]

I'll try to answer these for you
#1. about 190 degrees F. I have heard people using 170 - 220

#2. You will want to do all you finish work before parking for the resaons you have listed. I would not want to park a blade with scales attached. You will not be able to be sure of getting oil to the metal under the scales. if you don't get oil on parked metal it will rust. I aslo don't know what the handle material would do to the park solution.

#3. All metal take to park different and will produce different shades. To match the results from different types of steel you have to adjust the salution or the time in the park. stainless will not take to park at all.

#4. Most will blast the steel before parking. Park does hold oil better than just blasting and it reduces glare.

Hope it helps

 

[SDS]

Thats pretty much what I had figured but it's nice to have someone confirm it.

Thanks,
SDS