[TJPHX]

Does forcing a patina protect your blade? If so how effective is it and what are some techniques to doing it? I just got a few new moras and am willing to try some stuff out as they cheap

 

[Flinter]

If they are carbon steel just peel a few potatos. By the time you are done it will be a nice dull grey.

If it's stainless....well, good luck.

And patina is a fancy term for rust. It won't protect your blade so much as make any new rust blend in.

Potatos, mustard, vinegar, bleach....there are lots of ways to do carbon.

 

[pocomoonskyeyes]

If they are carbon steel just peel a few potatos. By the time you are done it will be a nice dull grey.

If it's stainless....well, good luck.

And patina is a fancy term for rust. It won't protect your blade so much as make any new rust blend in.

Potatos, mustard, vinegar, bleach....there are lots of ways to do carbon.

The "Rust" that forms when forcing a patina is "Black Rust" which does not "Grow". It is very similar to bluing metal in that the black rust does not allow "Red rust" to grow. "Red Rust" will "Grow" and do serious damage to metal whereas black rust doesn't.:thumb:

On a carbon steel blade I would suggest a 50-50 solution of Vinegar and water. Leave the metal in that for at least 4 hours or more. Remove and wash it off. IF the Forced patina(Black rust) is ever worn off it will open a spot for rust(Red rust) to form. If you are doing this for appearances then to make a pattern you want to use something thicker like mustard or even vinegar added to flour.

 

[thelast]

I used vinegar on one of my Moras, carbon steel. Left the blade to soak for the night.
Now it has great dark blade.

 

[Metcalf]

Cheap yellow mustard works great....

30 minutes in a thick coating
Then just wipe off to a thin coating with your finger
Add some swirls for style
Let it go another 30 mintues
Then wash off in hot water
Buff slightly with fine steel wool
Then a light covering of olive oil

Repeat if you want more patina

 

[dmac27]

Horse radish is another product that can be used. And if blended with saw dust it can make interesting patterns on its own.

 

[Bush Monkey knives]

this was done with cold blueing compound followed by bleach