- Joined
- Jan 6, 2009
- Messages
- 639
Well I after having convexed my rc4 I didnt really like how thin the coating got on about 1/4 of the blade near the edge. I noticed with regular tasks it was beginning to wear off and figured it would chip soon anyhow. So why not strip it now and rock it out...Right?
Well here is how I did it.
Step 1 was to procure all the items needed.
Kleen strip in the can is easy to use.
For the patina I used mustard and vinegar.
Once you spray the chemical stripper on a good thing to do is wrap the knife in saran wrap. This will prevent it from drying out and will let it work alot better.
Next unwrap it and this is what you get. Nice and bubbled. The coating just melts off. Use a plastic scraper and voila. Stripped.fine steel wool will help with any small spot that didn't get to bare metal and also helps with the screw holes.
Bare metal. I just used some fine 2000 grit paper to clean it up but not remove all the fine RAT Cutlery makers marks cuz lets face it...I love to advertise for you guys.
This is the knife hung with a strand of 550 inner cord. I used the mustard and a paper towel to get a very uneven look. Tried to get as natural as possible without doing patterns. Let it sit for 45 min. Wash it off well and then do a coating of mineral spirits. Next i rolled it in a paper towel and soaked in vinegar for 45 min. Came out lots darker. Next washed, Mineral spirits and then back to the mustard one more time to bring out the details.After this Wash... Mineral spirits and then hit it with some fine steel wool to even out the colors. Make sure to use the steel wool in the screw holes to make sure there is no Red Rust hiding there. After this it was a light coating of mineral oil and re-assembled. One of the scales screws needed a little work do to the loss of thickness. And here it is now!
Well there you have it. Maybe a little too in depth but everyone always talks about patina and how to do it with end pics but never shows any in between stuff. Let me know what you think. Next up is some new scales i will be adding. Will be wood but have not decided for sure which species.Maybe some curly maple.
Well here is how I did it.
Step 1 was to procure all the items needed.
Kleen strip in the can is easy to use.
For the patina I used mustard and vinegar.
Next unwrap it and this is what you get. Nice and bubbled. The coating just melts off. Use a plastic scraper and voila. Stripped.fine steel wool will help with any small spot that didn't get to bare metal and also helps with the screw holes.
Bare metal. I just used some fine 2000 grit paper to clean it up but not remove all the fine RAT Cutlery makers marks cuz lets face it...I love to advertise for you guys.
This is the knife hung with a strand of 550 inner cord. I used the mustard and a paper towel to get a very uneven look. Tried to get as natural as possible without doing patterns. Let it sit for 45 min. Wash it off well and then do a coating of mineral spirits. Next i rolled it in a paper towel and soaked in vinegar for 45 min. Came out lots darker. Next washed, Mineral spirits and then back to the mustard one more time to bring out the details.After this Wash... Mineral spirits and then hit it with some fine steel wool to even out the colors. Make sure to use the steel wool in the screw holes to make sure there is no Red Rust hiding there. After this it was a light coating of mineral oil and re-assembled. One of the scales screws needed a little work do to the loss of thickness. And here it is now!
Well there you have it. Maybe a little too in depth but everyone always talks about patina and how to do it with end pics but never shows any in between stuff. Let me know what you think. Next up is some new scales i will be adding. Will be wood but have not decided for sure which species.Maybe some curly maple.
