Patina on tomakawk heads and handles

M

MrSpudboy

Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
39
I posted this on the tomahawk forum and got no answers yet, so I thought I would post on here.

I like the look of Birchwood Casey Plum brown, but you need to heat the piece hot enough to flash off when applied. I usually put whatever it is in a oven at 200 to 250 degrees and let it heat up. I don't think that is hot enough to draw the temper down, however I would like to hear some thoughts on this.

thanks for any info!
 
The temperatures you mention should be no problem as steel tempering temperatures are typically in the 500 to 600 degrees F range and heat treating temperatures in the 1000+ degrees F range before quenching. After all gunsmiths routinely blue hardened gun actions using the hot bluing process. Take a look on the Brownells web site to see what other browning chemicals they offer. They are THE gunsmithing supplies source for the USA.
 
200-250 is absolutely fine. Tempering starts at about 350*F for hard knife steels, and axes are typically tempered starting around 500*F. Any temperature below that for any length of time will not affect the steel.

As an aside, try old fashioned browning. Use a salt water solution to force rust and then card it off. Repeat several times. Soak in oil after to stop the rust.


-X
 
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