Patina Procedure

[edgelion]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately since my first ever forays into modifying knives, but my thoughts are not yet conclusive. I love a blued steel look that actually looks blue-ish, in a pearlescent kind of way (subtle, seen at angles). As much as I've researched, it hardly seems possible to force that in reference to patina, or an aged look, but rather is achieved with expensive coatings or flame treatments that probably won't last on a user. As a complete noob, it's hard to wait until I actually understand what it is that I think I want.

I've also decided that I probably have time to let it happen naturally. Maybe I'll feel differently after another decade or so. But my prominent example at the moment is the Maxamet Para 3 that I swapped into another Para 3's micarta scales that I originally planned to dye and patina, and now i can't bring myself to hurry. I've got a cheap slip joint in high carbon for when the itch to experiment acts up again.

But apart from that, I can't not clean my knives most of the time. Recently, it has been confirmed to me that I do prefer the shiny things, and would really like to keep the shiny things shiny. I've acquired too many stainless blades in the last few years with unnecessary coatings, and I'm definitely over it. Instead of forcing patina, I'm fixin' to force erosion.

 

[eveled]

When you cut something you need to make sure the whole blade gets coated with the juices. Then wipe it off or wash it. The patina will come slowly and beautifully. Meat juices seem to bring the blues and purple tones.

Vinegar is more uniform color like gun blue or the old rust blue.

Stabbing into an onion and leaving overnight without moving it will produce stripes like a topographical map.

 

[fieryimp]

There's no wrong way to eat a Reese's. Forced this one with hot vinegar. Normally I let nature take it's course, but I wanted a more uniform look to this.

 

[unwisefool]

I cut up a lot of fruit for my kid, so usually just let it sit for a few minutes after each use before rinsing to build up some layers

 

[Delgadonine]

Suddenly, I want to buy a knife that I can Patina.

 

[DaveHS]

I got this new at Blade Show Texas 2024. Started using it right away. This is from cutting apples. Made sure I used every part of the blade to cut and I helped a get little juice up on the tangs. I find if you leave the blade in contact with the cut apple surface you get a pretty even patina.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Suddenly, I want to buy a knife that I can Patina.

Try 1 in k390

 

[Horsewright]

Life:

 

[ShaiHulud]

I find cutting strawberries to be highly effective in creating patina, that and raw red meat

 

[eveled]

This one was an onion too

 

[scorpnsnake]

I forced it on one little copper thumbdisk using the ammonia vapor method. Otherwise steaks and veggies for steel.

 

[DaveHS]

Suddenly, I want to buy a knife that I can Patina.

Lots of carbon steel blades out there that you can experiment on without spending too much on. Plus with 1095, CV, etc., you can flitz off a forced patina. Just be aware that any polishing paste will also remove some or all of a blade etch.

 

[DaveHS]

Life:

As usual, Dave with a mic drop

 

[Skar]

Love a good patina.
I force it myself, just to get it done, I like either way they all look good imo.

 

[Flatsman007]

Same. I used to force them, then realized later it doesn't really protect anything.

I just use it, clean it, dry and oil if needed.

Same here. Natural patina.

 

[Horsewright]

More life. Leather sheaths can patina too:

 

[Delgadonine]

More life. Leather sheaths can patina too:

Probably from sweat and sun. Maybe, saliva and tobacco from those hands who shout so much.

 

[Horsewright]

Probably from sweat and sun. Maybe, saliva and tobacco from those hands who shout so much.

Definitely get used and not babied.

 

[Delgadonine]

Definitely get used and not babied.

I worked on a ranch when I was a kid. Not a Cowboy at all. I knew how to put in corners and gates and tend to the fence line. I've seen a broken in saddle or two.

 

[mitchnola]

I like my patina like a I like my women!

All natural!!!