Patina vs. Perma Blue

[Wood Splitter]

Hey guys, I have a Cold Steel Pipe Hawk which I have already modified a bit (made a leather sheath, belt loop, re-profiled the edge, refinished the handle etc), but unlike my Frontier hawk, I did not strip the head of its black paint.

I am now considering stripping it, and I wanted to know what you think would work best for rust protection.

Patina via white vinegar soaked paper towels, or Perma Blue liquid gun bluing? How durable is the bluing? I know if the patina starts wearing, I can very easily re-patina it... but I guess I could reapply the bluing as well...

Whats your opinion? Other suggestions are welcome.

Splitter

 

[TEFL0N_D0N_81]

I use rice vinegar soaked towels to force a patina. Looks friggin sweet but strips off the contact areas with minor use. If I had the workshop space, I'd try duracoating it.

 

[BryFry]

I've tried both methods, and in my experience neither offers a whole lot in the way of rust protection.
As far as aesthetics go, I preffer the blueing. Pluss the perma blue is super easy to reaply when it wears off.

Here's an example of the perma blue:

And here is a vinegar patina on a head that I purposely soked in salt and bleach first to give it some texture as well: