Putting on a patina with naval jelly.

S

Sword and Shield

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I've a couple 7" butcher knives that I want to force a patina on. After reading the can, I thought Loctite Rust Neutralizer would do the job- it says that it leaves a black finish- but it scrapes off easily.

After cleaning 99% of it off (anyone know how to finish it?), I'm stuck with a clean blade again. How about naval jelly? How long should it be on? Is it food safe?
 
Save money and use vinegar.
Warm it in the microwave.
The tough part is finding a vessel deep enough.
A Pilsner glass may work :D
 
Anything acidic will put a good patina on a carbon-steel blade. Here's how I finished a chef's knife I did with mustard.

chef1.jpg


You can soak a blade in liquid for a uniform coating or daub thicker stuff on and get a cool pattern.

J-
 
Ebbtide said:
Save money and use vinegar.
Warm it in the microwave.
The tough part is finding a vessel deep enough.
A Pilsner glass may work :D
Click to expand...

He means warm the vinegar before putting the knife in it. Don't put the knife in the microwave. (I know this is almost insulting, but every once in a while we get some very un-technical people who are apt to do the strangest things. Can't be too careful.)

You can also warm the vinegar in a sauce pan.
 
knarfeng said:
He means warm the vinegar before putting the knife in it. Don't put the knife in the microwave. (I know this is almost insulting, but every once in a while we get some very un-technical people who are apt to do the strangest things. Can't be too careful.)

You can also warm the vinegar in a sauce pan.
Click to expand...

I believe you can also warm vinegar in a plastic ziploc bag clasped between your thighs.

And by waving a bottle of vinegar over an open flame. Be careful though, as fire is hot and may warm your fingers uncomfortably. You may wish to wear mittens. Not flammable mittens though, the fireproof kind.
 
Good point knarfeng :D
I doubt the pilsner glass would fit in the microwave anyway.

Here's one of my self handled kniven that I used vinegar on.
stromengdone2.jpg

Vaseline on the guard, then spread out some saranwrap, bigger than the blade.
I wrapped the blade in paper towel, poured warm vinegar on it and wrapped that loosely with saranwrap. Loosely to allow some oxygen in there.
After all we are oxidizing, eh?
I don't remember how long, I know I did the process more than once...the first time was very blotchy.

Just say no to microwaved knives :D
 
I used a Gatorade bottle filled with vinegar, then microwaved it and stuck in the knife. Foamed like mad, but it's now deep black. I'm trying the same on a Case SS Soddie, on the off chance I can age 420HC.
 
About how hot did you get the vinegar before you treated the blade?
 
Ebbtide said:
Good point knarfeng :D
I doubt the pilsner glass would fit in the microwave anyway.

Here's one of my self handled kniven that I used vinegar on.
stromengdone2.jpg

Vaseline on the guard, then spread out some saranwrap, bigger than the blade.
I wrapped the blade in paper towel, poured warm vinegar on it and wrapped that loosely with saranwrap. Loosely to allow some oxygen in there.
After all we are oxidizing, eh?
I don't remember how long, I know I did the process more than once...the first time was very blotchy.

Just say no to microwaved knives :D
Click to expand...

Ebbtide, where did you acquire that blade? I like it...
 
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