THINKING ABOUT COLORING MY HEAD.

[Loyalist Dave]

Whether vinegar or mustard I found that covering the metal with soaked, low grain paper towels or toilet paper, then left to dry for a 1-4 days works s lot better.

Cool tip....

What's a "low grain" paper towel?

LD

 

[Art Caputo]

Cool tip....

What's a "low grain" paper towel?

LD

A smooth texture as opposed to a quilted to give even contact on the metal.

 

[kje54]

Hi all. I recently purchased a TOTW wax caste Iroquois Tomahawk The head is made out of 4140 Alloy Steel and is a bit on the silvery side. I am using a file and some emery cloth to "age" it a bit, however it still looks on the lighter side rather than steel that was directly forged. I am thinking of using their Brown or Blue color on the head in order to make it look more aged and authentic. Was wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on me doing this. Thanks.

Based on the title I thought you were referring to war paint..........

 

[D.Summers]

I was right curious. I instantly thought of our hands when our daddy would make us hull bushels of walnuts he brought down from the trees above the high pastures. And he was the only one who liked the daggone things! We sure colored our hands!! I kinda like black walnut ice cream now, tho. But all six of my kids do not!!

 

[D.Summers]

He dumped them on the driveway and drove over them with the VW bus to crack them open

 

[D.Summers]

Has anyone ever heard of using black walnut hulls to stain anything besides clothing? I wonder does it work on aught else?

 

[flashpoint]

Based on the title I thought you were referring to war paint..........

Super great picture. I'll tack you up on my wall so I'll have an inspiration when I lose my hair.

 

[Flint.]

Do you think that there was some oil or grease on thother side than

No, I cleaned both sides with alcohol.

 

[Flint.]

Mustard Browning is actually vinegar aging..., the mustard simply helps it to stay in an even layer if that's what is desired, for straight, hot vinegar being liquid will bead up on metal and may give a "measles" appearance.

As for one side not taking the aging as another I'd venture to guess that how the 'hawk was quenched and them tempered made one side a bit harder, just enough to cause an difference when aged.

LD

That must be it. I tried 3 times to get the other side to age like the first... just wouldn’t do it.

 

[pilot]

Has anyone ever heard of using black walnut hulls to stain anything besides clothing? I wonder does it work on aught else?

Yes. You can stain wood, too.

 

[Oldbear63]

Vinegar fumes are actually much more acidic than liquid vinegar.
Placing metal in a large container with a rag or paper towel soaked in vinegar will patina iron or brass faster than putting it directly in the solution. For iron only a few minutes or an hour will cause a good rust.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Vinegar fumes are actually much more acidic than liquid vinegar.

That's a good point,

But I think what's happening to accelerate the rusting is that the mustard or the vinegar/paper application rely on interaction with the surrounding air and the room temperature to oxidise the steel, while the vapor application that you suggest surrounds the object with a cloud of acid and air and heat, which is why it accelerates the process.

LD

 

[Newtire]

I tried Birchwood Casey cold blue on my replica Rogers & Spencer and it came out looking like old aged steel after the first few cleanings.

 

[NorthFork]

As a suggestion you could use some cold blue on the head and go straight to a prolonged dip in straight bleach. Don't breath the fumes. Just wet the head with any cheap cold blueing solution and go straight into a plastic throw away vessel with enough bleach to cover the head. Give it a few minutes, NOT hours. Will lightly pit the steel and darken the steel. Rinse well with cold water. Dry. Lightly scour with 0000 steel wool. Oil the head. Will look very old when done. Experiment with any carbon steel scrap you have. The results are actually very durable and reasonably rust free.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

Any cold blue followed by bleach works very well.

 

[flashpoint]

As a suggestion you could use some cold blue on the head and go straight to a prolonged dip in straight bleach. Don't breath the fumes. Just wet the head with any cheap cold blueing solution and go straight into a plastic throw away vessel with enough bleach to cover the head. Give it a few minutes, NOT hours. Will lightly pit the steel and darken the steel. Rinse well with cold water. Dry. Lightly scour with 0000 steel wool. Oil the head. Will look very old when done. Experiment with any carbon steel scrap you have. The results are actually very durable and reasonably rust free.

Thanks NorthFork, sounds like a really good idea. The steel is 4140. Will it work on that as I don't know if 4140 is carbon steel or not?

 

[NorthFork]

4140 is carbon steel. Yes it will work. But please, please try it on a scrap piece of steel first. It is not reversible once done.

 

[flashpoint]

4140 is carbon steel. Yes it will work. But please, please try it on a scrap piece of steel first. It is not reversible once done.

Thank for the heads up NorthFork. Much appreciated.