Anyone Flame Paint Copper or Brass knife handles?

[WeNeedaBiggerBoat]

Hey all
I’m interested in getting some knives with Copper or Brass handles. I wanted to flame paint them instead of doing a chemical force patina. Any thoughts? It sounds like I have to do a clear coat or some type of final layer to protect it after—what’s the best chemical to use for a knife that’ll be in my pocket? How do they age in the long run? Is it even worth doing? Thanks for any advice or thoughts on the matter including any questions I didn’t ask

 

[nevermind35]

I don't know anything about flame painting brass or copper but I'm sure glad to see that manufacturers are making copper and brass scales lately. They're both one of my all time favorite materials. I want to get some scales in either one and put a nice smooth semi polished finish one them so I can see that nice patina with use.

 

[Ajack60]

You just have to be careful with copper/brass heating them up. you can warp the handle if it gets too hot.
Brass takes longer to form a patina. It will be a PITA to keep a coating on the handles. It will wear unevenly and you’d have to keep treating it due to constant handling.
The other thing to remember is that the flaming of copper will look different than what you see on Ti.

 

[Danke42]

There's lots of info out there on using a torch or chemicals to do this. Just search "Copper Patina" and look at the pictures and process. Different chemicals or fire will yield different colours so you definitively want to read and decide what you like.

This was a torch and pocket wear/normal use.

 

[WValtakis]

For what it's worth, I have never found a clearcoat that holds up to regular use...especially when applied over oxidation.

 

[Danke42]

Yeah you have to take this as an evolution. How it looks now isn't what it will look like next year. The only steady state option is to keep it polished.