Tarnish Stainless Steel?

[SgtSchutzen]

I think I already know the answer to this question, but is there a way to put some tarnish or patina on a stainless steel knife blade so it doesn't look so much like...well stainless steel? Maybe some kind of acid treatment, or gun blue? Figured I'd throw this question out here because a lot of you guys have forgot more about this stuff than I've ever known.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Martensitic is one of the basic ss grades if I recall... This particular grade of ss is used mostly in cutlery since it still retains it's corrosion resistance, but it doesn't contain a high amount of chromium ( that's what makes it corrosion resistant). In other words, this particular ss still has other alloys in it which allow it to be heated and hardened like high carbon steels. In my experience, I have a condor knife made of ss obviously, I applied mustard to the blade for a few hours and it did indeed patina. Not as pronounced as my HCS blades, but patina it did. Give the mustard trick a try, it certainly will not hurt the blade and you'll know for sure if it took to the steel. :thumbsup:

Also... I've welded much ss, when your weld is to hot, you can actually burn every bit of chromium out of the metal zapping all corrosion resistance and it will patina or rust quickly, ask me how I know this!

 

[rfisher]

I have used plum brown on ss and had good results. It just takes alot more applications and heatings than with carbon steal.

 

[JeffG]

4140 gun blue liquid will dull stainless nicely.

 

[buffcreekforge]

I have used Naval Jelly to "grey" stainless steel with some luck. It may take multiple coats. I remain your humble servant,

Just Dave

 

[SgtSchutzen]

Thanks for all the tips guys :bow:.
I've already got all the stuff mentioned so I'll start trying them and see what kind of results I get. I have a few historically styled knives that are driving me crazy because they just don't look right with shiny stainless steel blades.

 

[Mockingbird]

If you are planning to try different methods on different blades it might be nice to note it and document with pictures. Could be a great resource for others in the future. :thumbsup:

 

[jaxenro]

Bleach worked for me

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I'm not going thru all the hoops needed for pics here but I'll post the results if anything works. So far I've tried the mustard and it didn't do anything at all. Think I'll try naval jelly next.

 

[jaxenro]

Naval jelly is phosphoric acid which is technically a rust remover. Mustard is simply vinigar in a paste form not acid enough to stain stainless steel. Try a mix of 1/3 vinigar to 2/3 bleach, in a well ventilated place, and submerge the blade for a few hours. Try cleaning it really good first so there isn't any oil on it. If it develops rust (some stainless won't) leave it alone for a few days or a week then drop it in some boiling water. Depending on the chromium content the blade will pit slightly and the boiling water will convert the rust to a dark stain

 

[BigBoreBLR]

Reflectivity has two factors. The material and the finish of that material.

I would try bead blasting it. Maybe even using a tumbler if the knife blade is small enough and the edge isn't finished.

A big factor in what you do with this is whether the blade is on a handle or not.

I never did it, but worked in places where nasty stuff was used. Bleach on stainless steel would work good. The lower the pH the better. Corrosion is an oxidative process, make sure the mixture is not cover and has access to the air.

Anything with bleach I would do outdoors with at least a touch of wind or a box fan running while you're in the area.

Far as the finish is concerned, maybe give some medium grit buffing car finish compound a try.