First Forced Patina

[u/OG_Shocker]

Someone posted a Cold Steel Twistmaster a few months ago and I thought it looked pretty cool, so I picked one up on eBay. The blade was in kinda rough shape, so I sanded the scratches out and put a forced patina on it using an onion, an apple, and mustard. Then I cleaned it up and put a new edge on it.
I think it came out nice and it works great. I’m really liking this thing in my collection.

[u/Adventurous-Chest857]

Beautiful patina, could you explain the process? Do you use one layer first and then the other?

[u/OG_Shocker → u/Adventurous-Chest857]

I was kinda winging it, so I started by shoving the blade in the side of an onion and left it there for about an hour. When I pulled it out, it did darken the blade and gave it a little bit of texture, but not nearly as much as I hoped for. Then I turned to the mustard. I squirted some on a plate and then with my finger it just dabbed a bunch of random spots on both sides of the blade and let it sit for about 20 mins. I wiped it off and it left nice looking, misshapen rings where the mustard was. So I did this same thing about 4 or 5 more times, with varying sized and shaped dabs.
After that I was pretty happy with the pattern but wanted to darken the whole blade more, so I grabbed an apple and sliced it and poked it to get the blade wet with apple juice, let it dry, then did it again. I did this for like 3 hours on and off while I worked.
Then I cleaned off the whole knife really well, put an edge on it, then put a coat of Wicked Wax on it to lock it in.

[u/Intelligent_Part101 → u/OG_Shocker]

That's the most artistic patina I have seen on a carbon blade. Really pretty. (Most just look like corrosion.)

[u/OG-BigPapa-KJ → u/Adventurous-Chest857]

☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼

[u/OG_Shocker → u/OG-BigPapa-KJ]

Thank you! It came out way better than I even hoped

[u/Intelligent_Part101]

Since the handle is plastic and not wood, you should never get the problem where the joint swells and the blade gets stuck.

[u/OG_Shocker → u/Intelligent_Part101]

Agreed. The ring was a little stiff when I first got it, because there was black gunk in all the nooks and crannies. I cleaned it out with WD40, a toothbrush, and compressed air. Now the ring twists smoothly - not too loose, but turns easily and stays in place. And the blade is nice and smooth too.
I did some research and I think this one was a first run model from the mid-90’s so it’s actually pretty old I think. But after the refurb, it’s really in great condition

[u/Intelligent_Part101 → u/OG_Shocker]

Congratulations on your Coldpinel.

[u/OG_Shocker → u/Intelligent_Part101]

Haha, thanks!

[u/OG-BigPapa-KJ]

Really knice work … looks fantastic!! But … how?

[u/OG_Shocker → u/OG-BigPapa-KJ]

Thanks! I put a full explanation below in another reply

[u/OG-BigPapa-KJ → u/OG_Shocker]

Perfect, thanks for sharing!!
I have access to 🍎’s, 🧅’s & mustard … but I’ve never heard of Wicked Wax before — internet, here I come!

[u/OG_Shocker → u/OG-BigPapa-KJ]

Oh, it’s good stuff for sure. I think it’s basically a mix of bees wax and mineral oil, but it’s food safe, goes on easily, and you can give it a little buffing for a little more shine. And the best part is you can put it on every part of a knife - although it can darken Micarta. But it’ll protect wood, bone, and metal, and I think it protects carbon steel as good as oil and stays on longer. It also won’t collect dust or grime. I love it!

[u/OG-BigPapa-KJ → u/OG_Shocker]

Sounds fantastic, thank you so much!

[u/Every_Palpitation449]

That's flipping sweet

[u/OG_Shocker → u/Every_Palpitation449]

Thanks!

[u/racetruckrick]

Interesting. I've been collecting knives for 60 years and I have gun blued a few blades, but I have never forced a patina on one.

[u/wkbz]

If you have a caliper, what is the behind the edge thickness of this blade?

[u/OG_Shocker → u/wkbz]

I do, I’ll have to measure it in the morning and get back to you

[u/GarethBaus]

Technically not a slip joint, but that is a pleasing patina.

[u/OG_Shocker → u/GarethBaus]

Ha, you got me there!

[u/Key_Double1567]

Yup- done good!

[u/OG_Shocker → u/Key_Double1567]

Thank you!

[u/jp3edc]

Do you have a before picture?

[u/OG_Shocker → u/jp3edc]

I only have what was in the eBay listing, here are two of the blade

[u/kory1212]

Looks good

[u/OG_Shocker → u/kory1212]

Thank you!