Why don't we see many gun-blue knives?

FWIW, I just recently discovered that Hinderer is making a parkerized O1 version of the EK Commando knife, which is also being made in a 3V DLC version as well. Limited availability for both but the 3V seems more readily available than the O1.

The following is supposedly a pic of the parkerized O1 version of the knife:

HRK-EK-O1-BM_01_rick-hinderer-knives
 
Because (allegedly) gun bluing (or browning) isn't "food safe"?
I did look into that many years ago, and was told by more than one source that once the hot bluing was CURED and cleaned, it was perfectly safe. But that was a few years ago... like... twenty? or more.... And.. a lot of things I always KNEW have changed in that time...........
 
Coffee... I havent ever used it.... I have just assumed it would be like Cold Blu and more or less rub off??? I have seen some amazing knives darkened with instant coffee, but I was even afraid to touch them... TBH Seeing Coffee stained blades is the entire reason I want to get back into hot bluing... For a surface that more resilient.... how "permanant" is a coffee stained blade?
 
Coffee... I havent ever used it.... I have just assumed it would be like Cold Blu and more or less rub off??? I have seen some amazing knives darkened with instant coffee, but I was even afraid to touch them... TBH Seeing Coffee stained blades is the entire reason I want to get back into hot bluing... For a surface that more resilient.... how "permanant" is a coffee stained blade?
Done right, it won't wipe off or rub off with a cloth or finger. But it will wear/scuff off with use and abrasion.

Personally I think it's slightly better, but not much, than cold bluing.
 
Rust.
Unless your knife is simply a decorative item, bluing provides little if any protection.
 
In my experience, the coffee etch is more durable than cold blueing. I cold blued a knife once and the finish was worn off just from going in and out of a leather sheath. The one cool thing about cold blue is that you can simulate case hardening.

ukhtURv.jpg
 
Hot bluing DOES provide a small amount of resistance to rust. Not much, but some... putting a piece of raw steel and a piece of the same steel hot blued in salt water, then letting it sit out, you will plainly see the difference... yes they will BOTH RUST, but the blued steel will rust slightly less, slightly slower. Enough to matter? No, probably not...
However, as already stated, I want the hot bluing for LOOKS... It WILL last better than cold blue and coffee... I LIKE the way my knives look when they come out of the ferric Chloride, but again, it mostly just wipes off and looks dull and uninspiring... So, the argument it wont last is null and void, because there is NOTHING that will blacken a knife blade that will last that I am aware of. I understand hot bluing wont protect the knife, but thats not the purpose to begin with right?
I'll have to figure out how to post pics in here.... Need to find a host for the pictures...
 
Back
Top