Should i patina my blade?

David Nowlin

David Nowlin

Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Messages
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I have a Para Military 2 with Micarta and a CruWear blade. It will do EDC duty along with my Para 3.
I know the Micarta will change color in time as the oils in your hands will give it a darker highlight for lack of a better description. Do i stay focused on cleaning and oiling the blade or just let it go to a natural patina? Or even do a forced patina?
I’m very interested in everyone’s comments. Thanks.
 
You reminded me i have a few with M4 steel i should check and make sure they are oiled.
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I cut a rare steak with this cheapo and it sat with the dishes for only about 30 mins? Got stay aware when using high carbon steel knives.
 
I haven’t had any issues with CruWear in coastal Southern California (low humidity most of the year) forming rust or pits. I wipe with EDCI one a month and keep clean daily during pocket time.
 
SharpBits SharpBits said his M4 steel pitted. Our humidity is mostly moderate here. In the 20’s this time of year. I run a couple dehumidifiers during the more humid months.
 
I'm in a very humid climate, so M4 is a struggle here. EDCi does help though. Cruwear has no issues here, for me at least.
 
I know the Micarta is supposed to change color with time as it’s handled but i was indeed talking about the blade. Some people like to either let the blade go all natural and some like patina to the point of forcing it to happen quicker. Or clean and oil it after use.i watched a Ytube video on a spyderco taken apart and the blade got acid washed and then tumbled in stone. It came out beautiful but i don’t think i would go to that much trouble.
 
Just for reference. I vinegar soaked both at one point. I wanted the patina to keep the blades protected. M4 took a patina pretty well and it has darkened over use. Cru-wear didnt take a thing. I bet if I used ferric chloride it would darken up though. I am impressed with the corrosion resistance of Cru-wear

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You are welcome. So far I prefer the cru-wear. I have noticed that the edge on the M4 degrades from corrosion. I had touched it up and stropped it until it would pop hairs. Put it in the drawer and probably didnt carry it for a year. Went to use it and checked the edge and it wouldnt shave. Working edge was fine but the only way it could have lost the edge was corrosion.

The cru-wear takes a scary sharp edge and keeps it well.
 
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