Steel colors??

D

Drud

Joined
Oct 29, 2007
Messages
3
Greetings fellow bladesmiths

I`m rather new to the bladesmithing scene. I`ve done about 15 pattern-welded blades (about 5 I`m happy with) and I`d like some help conserning bladesteels!? I`ve familliarized myself with the basis (Nickel for bright layers, A lot of Carbon gets it hard:jerkit: etc )
What I`d like to know is: which steels are the darkest? Which components do I look for in the steel? Also i`ve seen allot of other collors out there (Blue, Orange etc...?) HOW THE :confused: IS IT DONE?
I hope some of you expererinced fellas out there can help this newbie out!?


Drud
 
Welcome to Shoptalk, Drud!

The more manganese in a low alloy carbon steel, the darker it will become when etched. Nickel steel, as you mentioned, is brighter.

The multi-colored steels such as Johan Gustafsson developed are done by mixing multiple steels with varying amounts of alloying elements (especially nickel) and then nitre-bluing. Temperature control is very important in the bluing, and requires a lot of experimentation. I have been told that there is a wider variety of these types of steel available in Europe than in the USA, so you may find more information at British Blades or the MesserForum.net
 
Thanks a whole lot!!! It`s hard to find answers to this stuff in little old Denmark (Where I live) Nitre-bluing? Is that the stuff used for gun barrels or?
 
Yes nitre-bluing is the same as used by gunsmiths. Damascus is etched and each type of steel reacts to the etchant differently.Nickel is the thing that resists etching. The more the nickel the lighter it etches. Temper colors are formed from heat of tempering and are oxides .Color is dependent on temperature , alloy and surface condition [oil etc].
 
I`d like to do a very dark blue and I`ve allready etched my blade. I`ve made it out of :
15/20 steel (C 0,75 - Si 0,30 - Mu 0,40 - P max 0,020 - S max 0,01 Ni 2,00),
Iron (dont know the contents)
And Sweedish Öberg Steel (C 1,25 - Si 0,25 - Mu 0,40 - P max 0,020)
Any suggestions?
 
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