blueing damascus?

T

T. J.

Joined
Jul 27, 1999
Messages
228
I'm looking for general information on blueing damascus (any type) I happen to have a gunsmith right up the road with a full hot salt blueing setup, and am thinking about having some blades (maybe cable) done. Should I do them after a very deep etch, then polish with a very rigid flat sanding block to shine up the highs? or will there be enough contrast as it comes out of the vat? Would a billet forged of two different metals respond better than a cable blade?

Let's have some discussion on hot blue on knives in general
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I've never used hot blueing but have had great success with Birchwood Casey's cold
Super Blue on my blades. After etching I
use 1200 grit paper with a light oil sometimes WD40. No big expense and looks
great even on cable or chainsaw.

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Romans 10:9,10
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I often have my damascus hot blued. The salts are not hot enough to lower the hardness of the heattreating but work much better than cold bluing. I like to use 1095 and pure nickel as the nickel will not turn dark. I shine to a good gloss with no acid etch at all. The carbon steel turns shinny black and the pure nickel turns almost a gold color. Very Nice! If you want the nickel chrome color, etch fairly deep to remove some carbon steel and use a rigid 800 grit to hit just the high nickel tops after bluing. Dont buff. I like both ways but the first method makes for the glossyest finish on the black. Bruce
 
Hot bluing works well also. Ask you gunsmith to blue a blade for you . Finish you steel out to 2000 grit and a deep etch to get a real nice effect or satin finish it and blue it. Cold blue works also.

If you want color in the blade use several types of steel that heat treat close to the same. This will provide Differnt colors of oxidation on the surface .

Good luck If you need any other help email me in private.
I set up my own bluing tanks for about 100.00
plus salt. I used a BBQ Grill (used) and a 1/4 tank from brownells. I run my salt about 5-10 deg lower at a hard boil than recommended.
Have fun..


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