striping a rtak

tgiannes

tgiannes

Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
2,750
well. i've had my rtak for a few days and have been contemplating strippping the finish off.

i stripped the finish off of my Kershaw Outcast D2 and was very pleased with it.

Before i venture on this endeavor i had a few questions for you guys.

A) i've read that black phosphate coating cannot be removed with paint stripper? is this true?

B) i know that 1095 is prone to rusting, you guys got a suggestion for protecting it? I'm looking for a satin/polished look

C) what do you guys think is the best approach to stripping an Rtak or should i just leave the original coating on
 
to me if it is the RTAKII ? I would leave it...but i am a fan of green coatings + the coating is there to protect the blade from the elements....
 
I don't know how to strip the coating (mine strips out of use).

The best way to preserve carbon steel is to let a patina form. Patina is a form of dense corrosion that doesn't let the nasty flaky rust develope, it is like bluing or browning the metal. Of course, you will not have a shiny, or satin finish after this forms, it will look brown and kinda dirty.

To keep a shiny or satin finish, you'll have to keep it oiled and/or makle prodigious use of silicone cloths.

IMO, if you don't want a coated or patina-ed blade, you need to get a stainless blade.

Otherwise, I'd just keep the coating on, and as the coating strips through use, the patina will form naturally.
 
I don't think you'll do well trying to keep a satin/polished look on naked 1095. The finish will wear eventually - starting in the sweet spot - and will have tons of character.
 
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