Patina questions

Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
783
So I've decided to put a mustard patina on my Martindale Bolo machete and was wondering, how long should I keep it covered? I've put a mustard patina on a different blade before and kept it coated in mustard for about 24 hrs but was wondering if keeping it covered that long was necessary. I'd appreciate any tips.
 
depends on how thickly the mustard is applied, increased heat and airflow will cause it to patina faster.

thinner layer of mustard (paper thickness) is probably ideal.

thicker layers will take longer but the edge of the mustard will cause a darker color.
 
Depends on if you want a pattern or a consistent color. If your after a pattern vary the thickness and time it sits. To get a solid color your better off with a liquid so you get consistent coverage over the whole blade.
 
If you have a shallow pan large enough to fit the blade, try immersing it in vinegar. It will give it an even coat.
 
I don't think I have a pan large enough to put the blade in. Would soaking a towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the blade work? Also do I need to add anything to the vinegar like water or something?
 
I did my caly 3.5 aogomi w/vinegar about 30 min. got a good patina,tried my Martindale bolo not so easy to find container to put it in + vinegar ,still trying to work it out,think I'm going to try mustard but it always ends up with an uneven patina,wonder how hi-strength peroxide works?have it at work.
 
I know it's possible to get a semi even look with a mustard patina. I put a mustard patina on my Ontario machete. I coated it in mustard and left it for 24 hours and it too came out uneaven. Did a second 24 hour patina on it on top of the first and it looked ok but decided to give it a 3rd coating of mustard and the blade came out with a neat case colored look. However, the case colored finish it had looked a tad off on that machete to me so I took some steel wool and fine sandpaper and it now has a neat aged look but it took 3 days just to get the desired effect. I'm hoping I can maybe get the same results with vinegar but in less time.
 
I have never applied the Mustard technique to anything as large as a Machete but I use Mustard often to patina smaller stuff.
First,I wipe the blade with Mineral Spirits to remove all oil, fingrprints etc.
I coat the blade with French's Yellow Mustard and let it stand for about 1 hour.
I then wash the blade with HOT water and repeat the process 3 or 4 More times till desired effect is achieved.
 
I prefer the wholegrain mustard effect, myself. It also tends to look a bit more even because the variations are camouflaged
 
If you soak a paper towel in vinegar that will work but the blade gets a pattern from the towel. I like how this looks but I dont think thats what you are after. Try the mustard and just get it as even as you can. You can always sand it a bit or add more patina till you are happy.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. Much appreciated. I ended up just experimenting a bit. I did a mustard patina that I left on for a few hours, wiped the mustard off then soaked a cloth in vinegar and wrapped it around the blade and left it on for about 30 mins and just rinsed and repeated till I got the desired look. It now looks like it's been sitting in a damp shed for awhile.
 
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