Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by lg&m on August 18, 2011 at 16:49

I have used mustard. I will try and post a pic when I can. I Can't comment on any of the above but you could experiment on just about any carbon based metal before you try it on a knife.

Permalink Reply by Robert Burris on August 18, 2011 at 17:35

Fruits and vegtables with a high acidic content probably works the best. I'm sure some work better than others. Please let us know what happens.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 18, 2011 at 18:30

I have a friend that just sticks them in a potato and leaves them there for a few days

Permalink Reply by Dave Cole on August 19, 2011 at 10:06

While most everything said will cause some patina, they are pretty slow acting.I use ferric chloride, which can be bought from Radio Shack as circuit board etchant.Basically a quick dip in  3-1 mixture of Distilled water and ferrric chloride and the blade will be etched.A quick spray of Windex willl stop the etching action.This is the same mix I use for etching damascus as well.Dave

Permalink Reply by Robert Burris on August 19, 2011 at 12:29

Thanks Dave, I usually don't have a problem getting a patina on my knives because I let them patina by use. I think that it makes a much better patina if you earn it. On our hatchets and axes though it's alot harder to get them to patina. I'm sure some may not have the time to get their knives to patina on their own. This formular will help everyone.

Permalink Reply by RicK on August 20, 2011 at 21:26

Soaked cloth in white vinegar wrapped axe in it over night patina came out a bit uneven but it looks ok i think, will add pics A.S.A.P might give the onion trick a go on trailboss cheers ROB .

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 21, 2011 at 19:52

Looking forward to the pics

Permalink Reply by lg&m on August 21, 2011 at 21:46

Here is my Anza.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 25, 2011 at 19:31

That patina came out fairly well.  Thanks for the pics

Permalink Reply by ken benson on February 23, 2012 at 0:37

 I saw a carbon steel knife a Sharpfan used catsup to color it. The nice had a factory etch on the blade and the catsup color treatment enhanced and complimented  it beautifully. I will try to remember who it was and get a pic.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on February 23, 2012 at 5:52

An interesting topic for sure.

There are a ton of methods to be used, it all just depends on what color you are trying to acquire. 

I have seen a solid black 1095 blade, all thanks to some boiling white vinegar.

I use vinegar when forcing a patina and it doesn't take that much to do. I like a light grey to medium patina on my work knives, so I just put a little vinegar in the microwave and I give it some warmth. I use a q-tip to apply and it seems to work just fine. I give it a rain drop affect by leaving drops of vinegar sit on the blade. The warmer, or longer the liquid is, or left on the blade the darker the patina gets.

I will go over the blade with a little oil and some light steel wool after the vinegar treatments. When it's at a look that I want, I oil it up and leave it sit a day or two. You can do a solid patina the same way.

Here is one I did a vinegar treatment to.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on February 23, 2012 at 5:57

You can also force it using a gun bluing product. It will give you a solid patina with a blue hue to it. I didn't care for how dark it was so I went over it with some steel wool and lightened it up. 

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