Removing the Black Finish from a BK14...

B

blades4brains

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
Messages
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I was just wondering how to remove the black finish off of my BK14. I guess I could rub it off, or are there any chemicals I could use? I really like the way the plain steel looks on the knife compared to the black finish. Also, are there any disadvantages to removing the black finish (besides reduced corrosion resistance).

Thanks guys.


-- b4b
 
blades4brains said:
Pretty cool, thanks!

how much does the black finish protect the blade from rust and am I better off just leaving the finish on?


-- b4b
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The black coating will protect the metal 100% if its on properly, areas where the metal is exposed...Yeah not so much.

Some people just strip the blade and leave the handle coated and some strip it and get it duracoated since its much more durable finish...Some strip it all together
 
CamH_16 said:
The black coating will protect the metal 100% if its on properly, areas where the metal is exposed...Yeah not so much.

Some people just strip the blade and leave the handle coated and some strip it and get it duracoated since its much more durable finish...Some strip it all together
Click to expand...


ok. Does the 1095 steel rust easily?
 
blades4brains said:
ok. Does the 1095 steel rust easily?
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty easily if not taken care off. I chopped off the pommel of one of my BK-2s and threw it outside (in a semi-dry place place), came back the next day and it was already quite hevily rusted.
 
I did a BK2 a while ago. I hate the black coating and I decided I would take care of the knife instead of dealing with the black. Went to Home Depot and bought some stripper.
IMAG0337.jpg


After a while it just bubbled up and I could scrap it off with a plastic knife.
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From there the knife is exposed. This particular BK2 I did some mods too and sold so I have no report on the rust issue. Here was the final product.
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All that said, I bought a RAT-3 not long after and did the same thing.
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Same stripper. After everything is off.
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After homemade stone wash and PCB etch.
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I ended up coating the blade and micarta with boiled linseed oil. Several months later living in Baltimore (the rust belt) not a single bit of rust.

Keep it clean after each use. Don't be lazy about it. Try a finish wipe of oil to help preserve everything.

I am a firm supporter of removing the black finish. Learn to take care of your knives and it will add to the experience.
 
Willydigger, I'm surprised you managed to strip an ontario blade, I tried with my OKC 12" machete and the stripper didnt have any effect on the coating whatsoever.
 
It is very possible to rub the black coating off, there are 2 methods, only one of which I recommend (and it wasn't the one I chose). The 2 methods are 1) sand paper, wasn't my brightest idea, 2) use the dang thing, I should have done this.

If you want fast and clean results, get some paint stripper as seen above.

The benefits out-weigh the risks as long as you don't live in the wet lands like me. This is not always the case, bringing your knife up to the mirror finish like willydigger did will help prevent rust because there are smaller and few places for water to take hold. Other solutions include duracoating, patinas, and etching.
 
I used a dremel, a drill press with sanding drums, hand sanding and a buffer wheel.

Then I applied a mustard patina, then hit the while thing with vinegar. I left the paint on the handle because it offers better protection.

DSC03287.jpg
 
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