Hot-bluing a peened sword? -- myArmoury.com

James Rogers · Posted: Tue 19 Sep, 2017 5:18 am Post subject: Hot-bluing a peened sword?

Is it possible to apply a period-correct hot-blue to the guard and pommel of a sword that's peened together (like an Albion) without causing any damage to the handle wrap or the blade? I was a bit disappointed to find out that Albion only offers a modern chemical blue rather than a proper hot-blue, but I can't think of a way to apply my own to a finished sword without ruining the temper, burning the handle, or both.

Lloyd Winter · Posted: Tue 19 Sep, 2017 6:33 am Post subject:

It shouldn't harm the blade at all. Any hot blueing would occur after the heat treat.
I would expect damage to the handle, at the very least your leather will be trashed.
The wood might survive but I wouldn't chance it on any of my swords.

Arne G. · Posted: Tue 19 Sep, 2017 10:12 am Post subject:

I'd leave it be. I'm fairly sure that the hot blued components were blued before assembly (Lloyd seems to be implying that the bluing was done with the cross and pommel mounted on the blade, which I highly doubt). Any attempt to use a torch to flame blue the cross and pommel will obviously destroy the leather wrap, likely damage the wood core of the grip, and harm the heat treat at least around the base of the blade (not critical, I suppose, but still).

Really doesn't seem worth the trouble, but its your sword and your call.

Lloyd Winter · Posted: Tue 19 Sep, 2017 12:04 pm Post subject:

Sorry, that isn't what I meant to imply.
I was trying to say the blade would not be harmed by the hot blue since that has to happen after the heat treat.
If you were doing it from scratch the hilt fittings would almost assuredly be blued before assembly.

James Rogers · Posted: Wed 20 Sep, 2017 5:03 am Post subject:

Thanks, gents. Guess I'll just go with the chemical blue from the maker.

Bruno Giordan · Posted: Sat 23 Sep, 2017 8:41 am Post subject:

I forge-blued a rondel dagger hilt and pommel. no wood would resist at the proper temperature.

http://www.anvilfire.com/article.php?bodyName...rdness.htm

It takes some dexterity to do it (moving the piece around to heat it evenly, be fast at taking it away when desired color is reached for etc).

It was an old recycled piece of ancient iron btw.

Came out a good dark blue.

Michael B. · Industry Professional

Any epoxy, leather, cording etc won't survive. You also rick damaging the temper in the base of the blade, you may be able to keep the blade cool with water. Since you'd have to replace the handle after this, you may as well disassemble the entire thing, blue, then reassemble. Chem blue can give nice results, just remember to neutralize the bluing after applying it.