Patina timeline

Mike Large

Mike Large

Joined
Jun 24, 2017
Messages
419
So I received my American Jack fresh from the factory the other day. Had a bit of trouble with centering and the over all walk and talk. After a month or so it's now back in my possession and if not perfect, it's damn close to it. Now I hate to use the word perfect but I have played around with this for 2 solid days, and also hate to say this, have been TRYING to find an imperfection or flaw and simply cannot. The knife simply functions.. perfect. Now I have seen and read many many reviews on this knife but do not see too many that follow the simple process of daily use revolving strictly around the patina. So here I go. For the next month I'll give updates on the changes that occur throughout daily tasks such as food prep, hard use, light use, and so on. All I'll be doing after use is wiping it on my pants and putting it right back in my pocket, unless it absolutley requires a quick clean up. I will not be avoiding, or forcing any changes that may or may not occur. Im sure most of you are already well aware of this process but just in case theres someone wondering like I am...15231884211621490075191.jpg 1523188482957271235011.jpg
 
Looking forward to your reports, Mike. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
I'm always surprised how quickly a patina develops if I use my knife for food prep. :eek::cool::cool:
I happened to take delivery on a new amber jigged bone CV Case canoe this week. I used the main blade to make breakfast yesterday, and the secondary blade for today's breakfast, and both have quite a noticeable patina already. (Sliced apples, bananas, and grapes, and dug around in a jar of hot pepper rings - I know from experience that the first and last tasks are essentially "natural use" methods to "force" patina. :rolleyes:)

- GT
 
This should be pretty interesting. I decided to let my 73 develop a patina on its own time, kind of what you're doing. Since I usually don't cut up a lot of apples or other fruit/fresh meats with my folders, not a whole lot happened for two months of carrying almost daily and that surprised the hell out of me.

Just a few days ago I decided enough's enough and cut up a mango for a late snack and a Pink Lady apple the next day. I really think if I hadn't decided to do that my blade would have stayed clean for quite some time.
 
I'm in for this, I like watchin' a knife develop character. I feel you could take a reference pic and place the knife in the same approximate site for the subsequent pics makes for a cool stop motion effect.

Subscribed and lookin' forward to readin' and seein' more.
 
McFeeli said:
This should be pretty interesting. I decided to let my 73 develop a patina on its own time, kind of what you're doing. Since I usually don't cut up a lot of apples or other fruit/fresh meats with my folders, not a whole lot happened for two months of carrying almost daily and that surprised the hell out of me.

Just a few days ago I decided enough's enough and cut up a mango for a late snack and a Pink Lady apple the next day. I really think if I hadn't decided to do that my blade would have stayed clean for quite some time.
Click to expand...

This has been my experience too. I only use my pocket knives for dry goods like packing tape, string, shrink wrap, etc. Up until about a week ago I carried my Churchill every day since I received it in late October. (about 5 months steady)

The blades have some scratches from use just like stainless steel blades would but the factory shine is still there. No signs whatsoever of a patina. Fortunately, no signs of rust or pitting either.
 
Cool idea. I'll be following this thread to see how it looks after 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month.
 
Gonna have to follow this one! Its only been a week with my #78 so far and it's got a lot of patina. Mostly on the main spear point cause I only use it for food and the pen blade for everything else. It's a fun journey, you'll enjoy it for sure.
 
Day 1:
Carried in my watch pocket all day. As long as the task is possible for my new (first and only so far) GEC I will be using as my main cutting tool for a solid month. Easy Sunday this week. Broke down usual boxes at work. Cut through tape, plastic, cardboard, ect. Blade held up as expected. Few scratches is all. Cut up a banana, spread peanut butter on my sandwich and cut it in half wiped the blade off with a paper towel immediately.... INSTANTLY started forming a beautiful patina! I'm actually surprised at how fast these changes occur.1523272069527555262250.jpg Awesome knife. I'll be keeping you all posted. I'll have much better pictures in the daylight tomorrow15232716987271032376490.jpg 15232717772751657849758.jpg
 
I love threads like these that carry the reader around in the day to day uses of a knife and help tell it's story. Bananas are one of the best fruits for starting a patina imo, and probably most overlooked since they never really need to be cut (other than for a pb&b sandwich which I also really enjoy!)
 
I find that cutting raw meat really works well to put a colorful and quick patina on a knife, as does garlic.

Here's what I mean by a colorful patina after cutting meat:

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15234301324651778176043.jpg 15234301622741614329203.jpg Havnt cut any fruit since day one. More simple use throughout the work day is all. Maybe pocket sweat from work, maybe fate. Looking better by the day. P.s.- toughest part of all this is getting a good picture as reflective as these blades are. Knife still functioning great1523430590905954690994.jpg 15234306389351944070582.jpg 15234306794821356411935.jpg
 
I like a knife with a good natural patina. It tells me that the knife has served its owner well and is cared for.

It’s taken a while to get this patina. Mostly just daily chores and some blood from being a little to careless, no food prep at all. I hardly remember what it was like without this patina.
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Two and a half week or so of use. Havnt really posted as much as I thought as it hasn't really changed much. Today heading off to work I noticed a difference. Looking better by the day, or week really. Sharpened once after a few days of cutting alot of boxes. Light kitchen use. Still no fruit since day one...15246997507831731001906.jpg 15246997898731669595473.jpg 15246998423071276295104.jpg 1524699987011613652428.jpg
 
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