What is your favorite coating for stripped SR101 ?

[Azula Gun Holsters]

I know it has been covered before but people's opinion may change after trial and use. What do you prefer as a coating for stripped SR101 ? Gun blue or lemon juice patina or ?? and how has it held up ? Looking to strip a couple and try something new.

Thanks

 

[argyle1812]

Cerakote.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

My stripped and well used RMD has a "with use" patina and I then brush it down with some mineral oil after outings.

 

[oge14]

I prefer Nissan, or Toyota. I hear Jeep and Ford preserve well.

 

[cpirtle]

In my experience no cold blue or forced patina comes close to Brownell's Oxpho-Blue. It wears great and blends easily when touching up scratches. Brownells says to apply it with steel wool but in recent years I have started using the gel formula and just apply it with a brush, let it sit 10 minutes, wash it off then apply another coat. Once cleaned and oiled it evens out nicely and continues to darken over the next couple of hours.

It will also expose a Hamon on diferentially treated blades.

I don't have an SR101 example handy but here's a BHK in O1 I just did last night.

ETA: the blotches in this example are differences in finish texture on the blade. An evenly finished blade won't do that, but I don't worry about it on users.

 

[Azula Gun Holsters]

Thank You, just what I was looking for, will get some on the way tomorrow.
By the way you do an outstanding job on your sheaths, a real quality product.

In my experience no cold blue or forced patina comes close to Brownell's Oxpho-Blue. It wears great and blends easily when touching up scratches. Brownells says to apply it with steel wool but in recent years I have started using the gel formula and just apply it with a brush, let it sit 10 minutes, wash it off then apply another coat. Once cleaned and oiled it evens out nicely and continues to darken over the next couple of hours.

It will also expose a Hamon on diferentially treated blades.

I don't have an SR101 example handy but here's a BHK in O1 I just did last night.

ETA: the blotches in this example are differences in finish texture on the blade. An evenly finished blade won't do that, but I don't worry about it on users.

View attachment 744238

 

[RobStanley]

Like Andy said, a with use patina is my fave. But a forced patina with Balsamic vinegar looks pretty schmicko...

 

[Azula Gun Holsters]

Thanks Rob, will give that a try as well. Which model knife is that ? I do love that Res C.

Like Andy said, a with use patina is my fave. But a forced patina with Balsamic vinegar looks pretty schmicko...

 

[Aias]

I've stripped and used my Trash 2 a bit... natural patina and Ballistol keeps the orange rust away. It looks pretty cool too.

 

[RobStanley]

Thanks Rob, will give that a try as well. Which model knife is that ? I do love that Res C.

That's a Swamp Rat Taliwhacker LE. Very cool knife.

 

[cpirtle]

Thanks Azula, love your work as well

I've never had much luck with Vinegar and mustard type finishes but never tried Balsamic, will need to give it a shot.. unfortunately I have an unholy addiction to balsamic so I am usually a little stingy with it!

 

[Freedom Pullo]

Stripes with mustard then mineral oil, a natural patina will form eventually.

 

[evltcat]

Most of the SR-101 I have is in large blades from O2W. I don't use them for food prep, and put RenWax on them. It keeps them shiny and rust free and only needs to be reapplied after heavy use.