First time heat coloring

Polynikes01

Polynikes01

Joined
Dec 31, 2016
Messages
505
So, I have a handful of inexpensive knives and I'm looking at my CRKT Drifter thinking "I bet I can use the stove to anodize that like that guy on YouTube with his stainless Hinderer back spacers".
So I grabbed the pocket tool that came with the knife, and threw it on the stove. Turned out pretty cool, so I proceed to the knife. I decided to leave the handle screws, pivot, and pocket clip untouched. I took the clip screws, stop pin, and back spacers off the heat when they were a nice bronze. I let the handles get more of a plum/blue-ish color to it. I did forget to degrease it before hand so there are finger prints and such but oh well, and I accidentally grabbed a dirty cookie sheet to let it cool on and dropped the lock side in some cheese crumbs so there's a black spot by the pivot.
All in all I'm feeling fairly proud of myself for my first go at anodizing anything whatsoever.
What do you guys think?
Before
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After!
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2666D798-0646-4708-9764-8D18FBD0A8D5_zpsjui7czpr.jpg

1AA4A157-85FA-47AC-8880-846D15ED49B7_zpslf3ml61v.jpg

E4C34391-770D-4E42-AAAA-029178CE31AE_zps3sdfiiwr.jpg
 
Thanks! Because of your post, I did not forget to wash the handle beforehand!
I used a gas torch to anodize the presentation side only. I was scared to heat the lock bar.....

Miso
 
That is true. I did not use any anode electrodes in the process.

Miso
 
miso2 said:
Thanks! Because of your post, I did not forget to wash the handle beforehand!
I used a gas torch to anodize the presentation side only. I was scared to heat the lock bar.....

Miso
Click to expand...
Glad you could learn from my mistake!
Yeah idk about the lock bar side, I was wondering that too when I did the crkt but being an inexpensive knife I went for it. I need a new torch head and I will be doing more heat COLORING in the future.
Maybe someone can chime in and inform us on the lock side... is it okay? Is it not?
 
This is how I placed the scale for heat coloring. I realized that the two blue colored bands correspond to the positions of wrenches I used as pedestals. I guess they functioned as heat-sink and left purplish color, which requires less temp than blue and grey. I should use a mesh or something next time.

Heat_Coloring.JPG



Miso
 
miso2 miso2 You could probabaly get a pretty cool pattern if you used more Allen keys and strategically placed them...
I need to go get a new torch head and try it!
 
miso2 miso2
Oh! Great idea man! Do it!
I'm seriously about to go buy a torch and stainless knife just to try it lol
Not sure if your a gun guy too (kind of irrelevant). But iraqveteran8888 has a video on coloring reloading dies by heating them and then cooling them in motor oil. They came out very dark, I bet you could kind of splash oil on it to also have an interesting effect... looks like I need 2 practice knives lol.
Seriously though if you try it post a picture!
 
I would imagine it would have some effect... though the torch may very well just burn up the foil...
 
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