Would love to get feedback from you guys regarding some test stonewash finishes...

I prefer #2. I do think if #3 were a bit darker I would like it more. There is something to be said for a more subtle stone washed finish.

I think my preference between satin and stone wash depends on the other aesthetics of the knife. A satin finish is more refined and looks great with wood, carbon fiber, acrylics... Stone wash is more workman like and looks great with micarta, G10, etc... Obviously there are always exceptions and this is just my opinion.

Good luck!
 
aarongough said:
Thanks very much for taking the time guys, it's appreciated!

Do you think if #1 or #3 were darker that would change your preference?

Also if you had the choice between a satin finish and say the #2 stonewash finish, which would you take?
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Satin finish and #1 over the second would be my choice.
 
eschwebach said:
I prefer #2. I do think if #3 were a bit darker I would like it more. There is something to be said for a more subtle stone washed finish.

I think my preference between satin and stone wash depends on the other aesthetics of the knife. A satin finish is more refined and looks great with wood, carbon fiber, acrylics... Stone wash is more workman like and looks great with micarta, G10, etc... Obviously there are always exceptions and this is just my opinion.

Good luck!
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I think polished G10 is an incredibly beautiful handle material, much prettier than carbon fiber, but obviously not great for the handle on a working knife to be polished!

Thanks for the feedback!
 
Definitely #2 over Satin for a working blade.

#2 with some Tiger Stripe 2x2 G10 scales in gray/black or orange/black would look great.

I would be concerned about going darker due to the possibility of it showing scratches and wear more.
 
I'd definitely have to go with #2. I might even go for a heavier stonewashed look, perhaps 50-100% longer tumble or do a brief tumble in coarse media as well. Looks great though!
 
I'd pick 1 or 3 - both good.
The reason I wouldn't go for 2 or 4 (the FC ones) is that the effect looks too artificial / stylized, possibly because the larger markings seem more intentional and deliberate.
1 & 3 come closest to a natural look that I think would wear well into the future with hard use.
When I'm choosing an etched or stonewashed blade I don't want it to look etched/stonewashed, if that makes sense. I prefer it to just looked aged without drawing attention to itself. I think 1 and 3 achieve that.
 
Good point SolaBay. However aesthetically #2 just looks the best to me. I like #3, but it almost looks like its bead blasted. If it were darker it might work.
 
#2 no doubt. All of them look good but #2 is my favourite, it could do with a git more grain if anything. Oh and I like the blackwash that Kershaw sometimes uses.
Great work by the way.
 
Interesting point SolaBay!

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I've had one of the stonewashed blades sitting in the kitchen for corrosion testing and I will say I'm pretty impressed with how the vinegar wash is doing! I found the knife this morning, glued to the cutting board with some sort of juice (apple juice or tomato most likely) a quick wash up showed no corrosion, wasn't expecting that! It seems to do better than a satin finish would.
 
I like the one that is smoothest on the blade and coarsest on the grips. Not aesthetically pleasing, I know, but I have a stonewashed folder - both blade and ti scales are stonewashed similar. However the scales are slippery to a point where it gets difficult to disengage the frame lock.
 
#2, no question. I don't think there's anyone doing an acid stonewash quite like that one. However I don't think it would suit colored G10 or wood scales very well. Put some lightning-strike carbon fiber on that #2 and I would buy that knife today. On the other hand I think #1 would go well with any kind of handle material, but I like #2 the most.
 
aarongough said:
So you're saying you'd prefer a satin finish over any of these stonewash options?
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If those were the only options available to me at the time. My family made jewelry for 30+ years, gold, silver, turquoise, etc. I've seen what a tumbler can do, especially if it is one of those 3 gallon ones. If you really want to find some cool stuff to tumble with, head to a jewelry making supply shop. They have media the likes of which you cannot imagine. I agree with Erik in his view of stonewash finishes, subtle is usually always good. But, my vote from what is presented will stay firmly on option 2. ;)
 
asdf12345 said:
#2, no question. I don't think there's anyone doing an acid stonewash quite like that one. However I don't think it would suit colored G10 or wood scales very well. Put some lightning-strike carbon fiber on that #2 and I would buy that knife today. On the other hand I think #1 would go well with any kind of handle material, but I like #2 the most.
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Thanks for the feedback!

RevDevil said:
If those were the only options available to me at the time. My family made jewelry for 30+ years, gold, silver, turquoise, etc. I've seen what a tumbler can do, especially if it is one of those 3 gallon ones. If you really want to find some cool stuff to tumble with, head to a jewelry making supply shop. They have media the likes of which you cannot imagine. I agree with Erik in his view of stonewash finishes, subtle is usually always good. But, my vote from what is presented will stay firmly on option 2. ;)
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Thanks mate! Yeah the jewelry tumbling gear is pretty crazy, buying 150lbs of stainless steel burnishing pins would probably bankrupt me though :)

choombak said:
I like the one that is smoothest on the blade and coarsest on the grips. Not aesthetically pleasing, I know, but I have a stonewashed folder - both blade and ti scales are stonewashed similar. However the scales are slippery to a point where it gets difficult to disengage the frame lock.
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Slippery handle scales are never a good idea... One of the reasons I love G10 so much! The nice thing about tumbling G10 is that it makes it extremely grippy!
 
#2 and #4 say working knife to me, they look like they will hide/blend with the marks and scratches to come nicely.
 
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