Greetings from Raleigh, NC everyone!
As most of you all might recognize I'm fairly new to the forum and still trying to learn my way around here. Hence, I tend to lurk in the shadows rather than participate in the latest discussions. However, I've been reading post after post (current and past) on the HI forum over the last few months and just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge on the subject of khukuris and their history of development throughout the centuries. I've come to grow quite fond of these blades and the superior hand craftsmanship put forth by the kamis to produce such wonderful tools and showpieces. They should be quite proud of their achievements as well as those of their forefathers.
I currently only own one khukuri type blade, a Pen knife. But soon a special order ASTK and a DOTD Sirupati snag will be added to the list. A WWII and 15" AK will hopefully follow soon thereafter if I'm lucky enough to shark one before the New Year.
With that said, I was hoping now to get some feedback from the forum regarding patina finishes on khukuris.
Over the weekend, I decided to try and produce a "patina" finish on the Pen knife I mentioned and its accessories using a traditional "chemical" cold bluing process. The bluing agent I chose was "Ospho-Blue" which was purchased from my local gunshop.
I started the process by stripping each metal surface of all traces of oil with a cleaning agent. Then, I wet sanded them to create a better adhesion surface on the steel. Finally, I stripped each piece one last time to remove any oil that may have remained. The blade, chakmak and karda were then dried with a hair dryer and laid upon brand new shop towels before bluing.
I started with the chakmak and karda and the Ospho-Blue worked perfectly; a deep dark bluish black patina developed instantaneously on these pieces. However, when I wiped down the Pen knife's blade, very little chemical reaction took place. Instead of a uniformed blue black finish, the Ospho-Blue only took effect in a couple of small spots throughout the blade (forgot to take a pic). The spots resembled rust stains; not a patina. These were easily buffed out with rubbing compound. The rest of the blade retained its original shine.
My question is, what (if anything) did I do wrong? Is there some type of protective coating on the main blades that I failed to remove? Is the steel of lower quality on the chakmak and karda thus making them easier to blue?
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Mac
As most of you all might recognize I'm fairly new to the forum and still trying to learn my way around here. Hence, I tend to lurk in the shadows rather than participate in the latest discussions. However, I've been reading post after post (current and past) on the HI forum over the last few months and just wanted to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge on the subject of khukuris and their history of development throughout the centuries. I've come to grow quite fond of these blades and the superior hand craftsmanship put forth by the kamis to produce such wonderful tools and showpieces. They should be quite proud of their achievements as well as those of their forefathers.
I currently only own one khukuri type blade, a Pen knife. But soon a special order ASTK and a DOTD Sirupati snag will be added to the list. A WWII and 15" AK will hopefully follow soon thereafter if I'm lucky enough to shark one before the New Year.
With that said, I was hoping now to get some feedback from the forum regarding patina finishes on khukuris.
Over the weekend, I decided to try and produce a "patina" finish on the Pen knife I mentioned and its accessories using a traditional "chemical" cold bluing process. The bluing agent I chose was "Ospho-Blue" which was purchased from my local gunshop.
I started the process by stripping each metal surface of all traces of oil with a cleaning agent. Then, I wet sanded them to create a better adhesion surface on the steel. Finally, I stripped each piece one last time to remove any oil that may have remained. The blade, chakmak and karda were then dried with a hair dryer and laid upon brand new shop towels before bluing.
I started with the chakmak and karda and the Ospho-Blue worked perfectly; a deep dark bluish black patina developed instantaneously on these pieces. However, when I wiped down the Pen knife's blade, very little chemical reaction took place. Instead of a uniformed blue black finish, the Ospho-Blue only took effect in a couple of small spots throughout the blade (forgot to take a pic). The spots resembled rust stains; not a patina. These were easily buffed out with rubbing compound. The rest of the blade retained its original shine.
My question is, what (if anything) did I do wrong? Is there some type of protective coating on the main blades that I failed to remove? Is the steel of lower quality on the chakmak and karda thus making them easier to blue?
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Mac
It's not a traditional khukuri since it has a second edge.