How To Paint A Knife Blade?

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How to paint a knife blade? It’s the question that comes to our minds. Similarly, many more questions like how to get the black finish on knife blades come to our mind. The idea of a back finish on the blades is the most demanding and attractive design. Because it not only looks fantastic but also prevents rust. It is pretty simple DIY to get that layer and also get a patina black finish. The method I’ll tell you is the best for carbon steel blade knives. If you have these knives in your collection, you’ll enjoy them. The process is incredible, and the supplies you need for this are also readily available. So, are you ready to start? Let’s proceed!

Supplies Needed

  • Cotton balls
  • paper towels
  • Silver polish
  • Rubbing alcohol if it is not present, then you can also use ( naphtha or acetone)
  • Apple cider vinegar or lime juice.
  • tongs if you have not, you can also use large tweezers

These are the requirements you need to paint a knife blade. Let’s move towards the procedure.

  • Firstly you have to cover your knife handle. Like if your knife’s handle is made from stag or bone, you need to cover it. Ensure that the vinegar will not spread on the handle. Otherwise, it’ll drain the natural oil.
  • The next step is to clean your blade properly with alcohol. Use the alcohol in a gentle way for cleaning.
  • Now dry the knife and be aware of putting your fingers away from the steel.
  • Pick up the saucepan and spill cider vinegar in it. Spread the vinegar in a way that it fully covers the bottom surface of your pan. Then bring this pan to boiling.
  • You can use the tongs to hold a cotton pad. Dip the cotton ball into the boiling saucepan.
  • Now it’s time to wipe the cotton ball. Wipe it until you feel your steel turn dark.
  • Keep continuing your process of dipping the cotton ball into hot vinegar until you feel your color cannot become darker further.
  • When you do the above process, then wash out the vinegar with normal water. The ordinary cold water tap is much better for this purpose. Washing helps you nullify the process of oxidation.
  • If you face something like unevenness, you can use a tiny amount of silver polish. Polish the knife only to the limit ( you can polish it until the blade shows a light to medium grey shade).
  • Ok, all is clear now, and now remove the remaining polish. Just after removing the polish, repeat the process 2 to 7 again.
  • Repeat if you feel that the steel is thoroughly painted blackened.
  • Your painted blade knife is done, but if you still want to remove the vinegar from the blade, wipe it with oil.

It is a very uncomplicated method. I hope this method helps you in painting a knife blade. Try all the above steps and keep all the precautions in front of you. Using the proper steps gives you the most satisfactory results.

If you intend to paint your knife blade perfectly, it’s good to focus on acid itching because it will disclose the metal microstructure against chemical attack. It will also remove highly deformed and thin layers produced during finishing and grinding.

So, to get attractive blade colors, let’s have a look at a short process:

  • Get ferric chloride from the online shop ( preferably from the local Radio shack)
  • Take 50% of water and 50% of ferric chloride and mix them into a large container.
  • If you work for a folding blade, it doesn’t matter because you’ll only treat it with the blade. Viel the pivot area and use at least one coat of nail polish for the hole. It’ll protect it from the etchant.
  • You can remove it after finishing with acetone or remover. Due to this, steel will remain clean and smooth.
  • Fixed Blades, remove handles IF they are removable; if it has permanent Micrata and GT, then it will be OK because they will not affect your handle materials in any way.
  • After that, you have to pass through an essential step, cleaning the blade. Use water and dish soap for this. For the removal of oils, try rubbing alcohol up to 90%.
  • Then, you have to dip. For safety, you must use some eye protection and rubber gloves. Tie the thread or fishing line onto the blad through a pivot or hole. Then, lower it to the etchant.
  • Observe the blade after 2 minutes to see if the steel doesn’t blacken. The other way to do it is to pull it out and then scrub off some black residue formed on the blade. It depends upon you how much you want to go up. Some blades turn black, and some dull grey sheen.
  • After completing it, use fresh water to rinse it to remove etchant and accomplish the process. You can also sprinkle with baking soda for neutralization.

In the end, clean the nail polish and reassemble the blade.

If you’re interested in applying various methods, then there is another fantastic method for you. You can name this process stone washing. Some quality texture can be given by stone washing that tumbles the blade with rocks.

Let’s have a look at the method:

  • Take a 3″ x 12″ Black ABS plastic pipe having end caps.
  • Must take a river rocks bag (smallest rounded) from home-dep-lowes. Choose the most rounded stones. Clean their dirt.
  • Then, half-fill the black pipe. Add dish soap with water.
  • You can roll this on the ground. Use your foot for rolling.

Must re-sharpen your knife edge after this process because it will cause dullness.

You must consider some crucial processes while intending to paint the knife blade to make it new and look attractive. So try it now and expose your inner creativity.

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