Patina Dip

P

player1219

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
35
Hello everyone!

I was just curious how much glare does a patina dip take away from the knife? I want to carry a Gossman on my flak into Afghanistan and was hoping a nice patina dip would get rid of all or at least most of the steels reflectiveness. After all, the last thing i want to do is let the sun show all of Afghanistan where I'm walking. if it dosn't, does anyone know of an alternate method that might accomplish removing the glare?

Unfortunately I can't carry anything on my belt because my flak hangs down too low, plus with all of the stuff hanging off of me i wouldnt really stand a chance at getting to it if i could. So that just leaves carrieing it on my flak or in my pack.

Thank you for any help you all can give me!
 
player, doing a dip to the blade will definately cut down on the reflectiveness. Which steel is it? O1 takes it quick, A2 takes alittle longer. If you can get some ferric acid from Radio Shack, that works the best. If not vinegar, lemon juice and even mustard.
Scott
 
Scott,

I'm currently trying to patina dip that really thin slicer you made me out of A2. We'll see how long it takes with apple cider vinegar.

I'll post pics of how it comes out.
 
Kev, I've tried white vinegar with little success on A2. I'll be curious to see how apple cider vinegar works. Ferric acid is the best.
Scott
 
How long does Ferric acid take? Does it etch the blade? Is that what is normally used when makers etch the blade? (not the makers mark, it looks like a patina)
 
Ferric acid works fast on most carbon steels and will show the hamon on differentially HTed blades. Just ask B. Goode. :D I used it mainly on O1 steel. I don't use it anymore because of the way I sharpen on the belt grinder. It removes it.
Scott
 
Oh Yeah! Ferric is the way to go for an all even fast etch. What I do is make the salution 1 part ferric to 3 parts water I believe. You can add hydrogen peroxide to make it stronger if needed. Basically what I do is wear gloves and dip the knife in a vertical plastic container and then scrub teh knife to get all the surface tension off the blade to make sure the etch is as even as possible. Wipe the blade down with alcohol to get the oil off the blade.

After the knife is how you want it wash very well with a baking soda and water mix or any residual etchant will mark the blade over night.

Pat dry - Do not wipe

WD/40 and 0000 steel whool the surface till its what you want.

Repeat as needed :D
 
cnas122 said:
Pictures please ;)
Click to expand...
I dont have any pictures. I use a pvc pipe the size I want with a bottom glued on it, attached to my shop wall with pipe straps and hang them in that.
 
Try gun bluing if you want to eliminate reflection. It ain't pretty but it works. Even with a patina you could be a heliograph.
 
Hey Kev, any luck with the Apple Cider vinegar?

Im having trouble finding Ferric Acid locally......
 
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