Will epoxy stick to a patina?

[Roamad]

Stupid question maybe. But I want to force a patina on a couple knives I'm making and was wondering if I should do it before or after attaching the scales...? I'd rather do it before, so there's no gap in the patina where it meets the scales. Plus this would avoid the risk of staining the scales if I patina afterwards. So, will epoxy stick to metal with a patina? Or should I simply grind off the patina where the scales attach?

 

[Ken H>]

Grind off the patina where the scales attach. Epoxy BY FAR sticks the best to CLEAN BARE rough metal, rough by sandblasting or at least grinding with 60 grit.

 

[kuraki]

If it sticks to the patina is one question, if the oxides that form that patina stick to the knife at the same level of adhesion that epoxy to bare metal with a good surface profile is another.

 

[Roamad]

Thanks fellas. I'll grind off the patina where the scales attach before glue-up. [emoji106]