Would this work to coat a blade?

C

cybrok

Joined
Aug 7, 2005
Messages
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Just an idea like this. I don't kniw if it's a good one, and if it's not, glad I made you laugh :)

I want to make a "camp" knife for myself. What if I roughly finish the blade with a low grit sandpaper, then apply some epoxy paint (that would stick if the finish is rough enough), then sand it with high grit paper. Would I have a good finish? Anyone tried something similar?

Thanks
 
Ive never heard of anyone doing that. I guess you can always try it. I'm not sure how great it would look though.
 
Probably won't work worth a darn.

If you are trying to avoid learning how to sand and polish blades, Then it is a really bad idea. Learning how to do it right is always the first step. Shortcuts only come after learning the full process.

The surface quality (how well sanded) determines the finish on the epoxy. You would have to apply a couple of coats and sand it down to a smooth finish. The paint will most likely chip in use and flake off in places.

Sanding to a smoother finish (say 400 grit) and either bead blasting or etching in Ferric Chloride will make a much better surface to apply a coating to.

If it is rust resistance you are trying to attain, either make the blade from stainless, or blue it deeply if it is carbon steel.

BTW - You can purchase all kinds of blade coatings for Brownell's specifically made to do what you want.
Stacy
 
I have been using a USMC Ka-bar for a dive/snorkeling knife for years. 1095 really doesn't like salt water but I have done just fine with this knife. The handle was removed the knife was sanded down and treated with Brownell's browning solution to roughen the finish, then the tang was covered with west system marine epoxy and a cork grip put on. the blade has been sprayed with epoxy paint sharpened and the edge covered with Vaseline/wax mix. maintenance is to rinse the knife with fresh water and repaint once a year or so, and keep grease on the edge.
This is of course not attractive just functional.
 
bladsmth said:
The surface quality (how well sanded) determines the finish on the epoxy. You would have to apply a couple of coats and sand it down to a smooth finish. The paint will most likely chip in use and flake off in places.

If it is rust resistance you are trying to attain, either make the blade from stainless, or blue it deeply if it is carbon steel.
Click to expand...


Rust prevention was the point, like most of Ranger, Swamp Rat, Ontario and Busse are coated.

Earlier this year I remodeled an Opinel handle, then applied multiple layers of varnish, sanding with fine grit between layers. That was what I planned to do.

The rough finish on the blade was more to make sure the epoxy paint would stick.
 
If it's not the best idea, what would you guys do to that blade?

- Blue it.
- Coat it another way (wich one?)
- Spray and bake epoxy?
 
what would work to coat a blade?

well you could get sonme wool yarn and knit nice little parka

or spray it with pam

dip it in patio paint and glue...

zinc paint would stop the rust...it would make the knife look and perform like hell but no rust

ok I have no idea
 
Stainless steel is no harder to use for a new maker than carbon steel is (they will both be hard in the beginning). If you have limited funds and equipment, steels like 440-C and ATS-34 (same as 154-CM) are still within reach. The new CPM-154 is nice, but a bit pricier. Stainless is harder to get a mirror polish on than carbon (without experience and equipment), but it the steels listed will polish with careful hand sanding and hand polishing. You will have to send it to a HT source, like TKS or Paul Bos, unless you have a friend who is set up for stainless.

(And there is always the option of buying a stainless camp blade from a supplier ,like TKS)

Stacy
 
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