[Josh MacNeil]

Hi all. I've been experimanting with antiquing a few pieces from my collection after reading Sean Flynt's article on the subject. Aside from surface treaments like cold bluing, I was wondering if anybody knew of some ways to antique stainless steel. Thanks.

-JM

[Jerry Knox]

Getting it very hot (i.e. in a charcoal fire, or with a blowtorch) can discolor the surface into the blue/black range, usually with some mottling. It is fairly superficial, but could be the basis for further treatments.

[Nathan Robinson]

I have moved this topic to the Off-topic Talk forum.

Please note the description for this forum:

"Discussions of general history and other miscellaneous topics relating to arms and armour that do not specifically fit our other forums"

Thank you.

[Nathan Keysor]

I've set pieces on an electric stove burner and let the heat discolor it. A propane torch works too. Just be careful.

[Bruno Giordan]

You would also be damaging the heat treatment effects, losing the temper of the blade.

You could obtain this effect by placing it in an oven at a given temperature (any color chart for heat treatment will tell the right temp in fahreneit)

I obtained a deep blue simply by carburizing in into steel the classical way, i.e. several hours in a bed of fine charcoal powder, at least 24 in my case.

It is in an annealed state now though, it will need a complete heat treatment cycle to get into a springy state..