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Permalink Reply by Jack Haskins, Jr. on October 14, 2014 at 8:20

Knife looks great. I've force a patina 3 or 4 times so I'm no expert at all. I used vinegar. I read with vinegar it's a combination of the vinegar and the contact with air also. So I'd soak the blade for 15-30 minutes then remove it and let it sit in the open for a few minutes. You do this as many times as it takes to get the darkness you want. Another method is sticking the blade into a potato and letting it sit over night. I think about any kind of food prep will force a patina but it won't be even. The pickle juice seems to have don a great job.  Looks good.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on October 27, 2014 at 22:19

Brad,

I'm getting in this discussion a bit late ..but .......................

Warming whatever solution you use in forcing the patina will increase the rate of reaction & usually facilitate a more uniform result. Moving the metal around in the solution will also help obtain a more uniform result. Suspending the metal in the solution such that no metal contacts the container will also aid in uniformity, i.e. if you just toss the metal in the solution & let it lie on the btm .. the reaction of the btm side will be inhibited relative to the top side. I learned the hard way .... see below. Simple stirring & flipping the hatchet helped .. but .. any surface next to the container did NOT etch @ the same rate as that fully exposed to the etching solution.
What I've done here is more etching .. ferric chloride .. but certainly forces a patina. Anyway .. same theory holds true for both applications.

What you want for forcing a patina is a weak acid .... ketchup/vinegar/fruit or veggie juice/etc.

Hope this helps.

D ale

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on October 27, 2014 at 22:43

Another example here.

I used readily available ferric chloride. This is a VERY CAUSTIC acid. I'm not suggesting anyone else use this. Ketchup is safer & works fine  ..albeit.. a little slower.

Permalink Reply by Brad T. on October 28, 2014 at 8:19

D ale,

You are becoming a co-contributor to my discussions. With your previous experiences comes a wealth of knowledge, I appreciate & encourage your contributions. Thank you.