Took me 5 tries to get the patina right on a handmade blade

I was working on a custom blade and wanted that dark, aged look. First two tries with vinegar left it blotchy and weird. Then I tried mustard and it just looked like someone sneezed on it. Third try was instant coffee and it came out too yellow. Fourth was boiling in apple juice and it actually looked okay but faded after a day. Fifth try I used ferric chloride at 4 parts water to 1 part acid and let it sit for exactly 8 minutes and 30 seconds. Has anyone else had a finish that took way more attempts than you'd expect?

2 comments

2 Comments

joel_mason2220d ago

I had this same struggle with a camp knife I made last summer. Took me probably six or seven tries before I found a gun blue and ferric chloride mix that finally gave me that even, weathered look I was after. The worst was a batch of vinegar that left these weird orange streaks that wouldn't buff out no matter what. I ended up doing a quick etch in ferric chloride, like 5 minutes, then a light mustard swipe for some pattern variation and it actually held up pretty well. Patina is way more trial and error than people make it sound.

wendy97820d ago

Ugh, the vinegar orange streaks are the WORST, @joel_mason22, I've been there and had to start completely over. It's INSANE how much trial and error it takes to get that perfect finish.