Questions about anodizing

[Hairlesstwinkie]

How does everyone feel about anodizing?

Is it safe to anodize a knife blade on your own? I don't have the slightest clue to it, and I thought the best place to ask would be here.

Tutorial links? If no link, can someone give me directions?

 

[tiguy7]

Anodization is a process that is the reverse of electroplating. In electroplating the part to be coated is the cathode and the metal to be deposited is the anode. This all takes place in a salt solution and direct current is applied to the plus and minus electrodes.
In the anodization process the part to be coated is an anode and the cathode supplies the reverse current. This set up causes a build up of oxide, say, on the part. If you anodize an Aluminum part, the part gets coated with a protective Al2O3 layer. If you anodize a Titanium part, it gets coated with some other Titanium salt.
Blade steels are not anodized because the coatings that form in an anodizing bath are not pretty. Think rust.
You can plate a blade, blue it, Parkerize (Phosphate coat) it, organic coat it (Teflon or paint), or put a Particle Vapor Deposition coating on it.