recommend an easy home DIY coating?

V

Vulcanite

Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
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hell, i might could just spray prime and paint carbon steel blades. Anyone know of a superior process that is not too difficult or expensive and that wont stink up the kitchen too bad?

i don't care about looks too much. these are just for me. maybe a bluing solution or something?
 
How about a nice hand rubbed finish, I promise it won't stink up the kitchen and will be better than spray paint.

I think.... THINK... that you can do a bake on finish from Brownells or similar in like a cheap toaster oven...

Here's a really good tip if you want to make a lot of knives and live a long time..... don't stink up the kitchen with knife stuff. If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. ;)
 
If you're just looking for some added stain resistance, I'd put a nice finish on and then go the patina route. You can use FC, vinegar, lemon or mustard, no stinking required and very little cost.
 
Will Leavitt said:
How about a nice hand rubbed finish, I promise it won't stink up the kitchen and will be better than spray paint.

I think.... THINK... that you can do a bake on finish from Brownells or similar in like a cheap toaster oven...

Here's a really good tip if you want to make a lot of knives and live a long time..... don't stink up the kitchen with knife stuff. If momma ain't happy, nobody's happy. ;)
Click to expand...

That's some good advise there.

when you say hand rubbed finish, do you mean like some birchwood casey thing?
 
Ferric Chloride - AKA circuit board etchant from Radio Shack. It is waht is used to etch knife blades and damascus steel.
 
I would suggest the following:
Forge or otherwise shape the blade and clean it up nicely, maybe even polishing it, but don't grind the cutting edge yet.
Then heat treat it. The oxide coating will be black and pretty much resistant to rust. After heat treating you can grind and sharpen the cutting edge.
If the oxide coat is too thick you can use a wire brush to clean it up, but go easy. You don't want to expose any of the raw steel.
Try it on a piece of scrap to see if you like it.
 
Vulcanite said:
That's some good advise there.

when you say hand rubbed finish, do you mean like some birchwood casey thing?
Click to expand...

No, hand rubbed means using progressively finer sandpaper to apply a finish to a blade. Instead of using a buffer some of us actually use sandpaper on a sanding block to put a finish on a knife. 400x is a very good finish for a working/using knife.
 
boil the knife in white vinegar then wipe it down with some fine scotchbrite and it'll give it a nice gray finish also if you edge quenched it'll show the temper line
chris
 
ranchmanben said:
I've always wondered how a Birchwood-Cassey Plum brown knife would look.
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Haven't used it myself but I've seen many examples at shows with "browned" finishes and they look great. Just the ticket if you like muzzleloaders, "period" knives and so forth. I'd bet you can find some with a google search.
 
I have used Gun Kote, Duracoat and Cerakote and will tell you from experience that Cerakote is more wear resistant and last much longer. Easy of use.....that has to go to Gun Kote...there is no mixing involved. Just prep the surface and spray it.
 
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