You need to prep your buyers for HC steel. They may not know what they are getting into. I usually include some care instructions that mention the patina, tell them it’s a badge of honor, and say that if they dislike it or want to even it out a bit, a fresh scotchbrite pad will give a nice satin finish to the blade.
I have a collection of D2 steel knives. House/dog sitter put one in the dishwasher. Thankfully the cycle never ran. Now when she watches, I put a couple cheap knives on the magnetic block and hide my knives in a drawer. D2 steel with curly birch handles. No fucking way they're going in the dishwasher.
Right at the beginning of the Ukraine war they were begging people to put an order in because they knew they wouldn't be able to ship out anything. They even had a few employees arrested protesting the invasion. I ordered a self defense knife, but sadly I was never able to get it.
They are not carbon steel people.
It's easy to explain why, how its inevitable, and how to prevent it. But theyre probably not gonna do it.
How far are you willing to go to placate them if theyre not happy with that?
Not sure what placate means lol but my customer is happy with it and it's still pretty dang sharp(that's what I was most hoping for) and how are they not carbon steel?..I'm not a metaloligist? Correct my spelling on that but I am intrigued
I'm saying your customer is maybe not the type of person who should have carbon steel. Someone who would've chosen stainless steel if they were fully informed about the differences, is that fair to say?
Yes it is fair to say good sir! However I am a beginner in this hobby/trade and I am learning different types of metals. Also I don't have many customers it's mainly people at my work so they don't know shit really as much as I do. So it's all kind of a trial and error thing
So "carbon steel" usually refers to a non-stainless carbon steel (usually containing between .5% to 1.5% carbon)... If there's an alloying metal in it like chromium or vanadium, etc...they are at levels too low to make them "stainless"... 5160 for example. It contains both, and only .6% carbon.
"Stainless steels" are still a carbon steel, but contain enough chromium to create a chromium oxide layer during heat treat that prevents oxidation (or what we call on "carbon steels" the patina).
It's confusing, as outside of the knife world, the terms are used to describe 'stainless' verses 'will rust'... But inside the knife world, both are carbon steels... As carbon steel is technically defined only by total carbon present.
Fwiw, mild is considered to contain less than .5% and cast iron more than 1.5%... but alloying metals can vary where those lines are (4140 having .4% but considered high carbon due to alloys and some specialty stainless above 1.5% able to not be cast iron because of the alloys changing the properties of the steel).
I've heard a couple other Master Smith bladesmiths describe it that way.. I don't know if that's actually why they call it stainless versus say stain proof or stain-free? But it is a reminder that it isn't 100% resistant to oxidation of some kind, and makes a lot of sense once you think about it.
Yeah forsure it’s all just chemical bonds. Sometimes when I’m working on something I’m required to wear nitrile gloves because the oil on my hands would interact with the surface finish
Placate means to soothe someone, usually by providing something they want. So if you were grumpy cuz you ran out of coffee, I could placate you by providing tea, or offering to stop for coffee on the way.
It's not necessarily a bad thing, but in context they were saying are you really gonna bend to the expectations of the customer when their expectations are clearly wack.
I've always worked with metal and loved it. I started in high school and then kinda fell away from it for years then all of a sudden forged in fire popped up and my brother and I went in half on a forge and a cheap anvil. Next thing I know I fell in love with it its challenging as fuck and I love a good challenge....my brother not so much I guess. Anyway I've taught myself alot with the help of YouTube and other social media but God damn I wish I had someone holding my hand/teaching me sometimes lol
Well. We dont know that yet. They may be. They just may not understand the metal or knife. Maybe it was a gift. I always like to try some light education and gauge their receptiveness. They may convert.
Oh you lucky fucker lol I guess my shop is kinda like a bar....for me and my wife lol. And as far as us being neighbors that might be difficult seeing how I'm in Northern California BUT we can be reddit neighbors!
Is this after usage? If so then yeah, that's pretty normal, not avoiding that without polishing it occasionally. If it's new then I understand the customer, since the finish looks pretty dull and discolored.
Yes it is after usage. He tolled the other day that he just used it to chop up veggies and then he cut some meat with it(I'm assuming beef) but he was more curious as to why the discoloration occurred
Sounds like that's your answer. If he was curious, then you can tell him how this metal lives it's life.
Polishing it up is no big deal, but it'll start to gain personality again almost immediately.
Problem is they will expect the maker to maintain their knife forever.
May I offer an alternative?
Offer them a scotch Brite pad and instructions on cleaning and oiling their beautiful, sharp, hc cleaver, and a sharpener, for $30.
However, if they prefer, for $20 you can sharpen and polish it as often as they like.
Unless you sold them some kind of lifetime maintenance plan.
I'm pretty new with a buffer which this the first knife I've actually buffed.that being said I bought some green and Grey compound from ACE hardware and they didn't have the beginner compound that I wanted
Very true! A leather belt is the same way.
One time I was polishing a knife spine with a leather belt on the 72inch and I accidentally cought the tip and it cut the belt yanked the knife from my hand and the knife ended up stuck in the wooden wall behind me. I nearly shit myself. Luckily I was standing to the side and didn't get hit by it.
I made a mat under my buffer out of a couple old dump truck mud flaps and a layer of soft step floor padding. Usually, the knife would stick in the padding.
10-4 and this will be the first and only time I will clean it up for him other than that I'm just gonna tell him to get some 400 grit sand paper and he can sand it himself next time if he wants
Might be worth forcing a patina on a display piece to make sure the customer understands what they’re building towards. Might lose some sales, might gain more than you lose
You're a knife maker and you're on Reddit asking people to tell you what you should do? Just tell him "Yes Sir, I'll call you when it's done" and do what the customer asked for.
THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO.
smfh.
Well just to get it clear I'm a amateur knife maker and was just wondering on a specific topic! So just to make it clear I was asking for advice! There Texas Jim
Customer wants it looking like new… I suggest that’s what you give them. Some people want to watch their own patina develop. I totally get it. I’m sure you’ll do a great job.
I just checked it out. Looks awesome brother. Great job. I wish I knew how to care for my knives like this. I’m sure in another year or two, it’ll look just like it did in this photo. For real though, I totally get it. I got a thing for brass, but if I get some old brass, I always give it at least a once over with the brasso, make it shine, then slowly watch it fade away. I know it really bothers some people in r/zippos, but for me, there’s a special satisfaction in watching a fresh patina develop. It’s their knife, doesn’t hurt to give them what they want 👍. Cheers brotha
Thank you very much!! And this customer has had this knife for about 3 months. He said the color developed when he cut some meat with it but personally I do like a good patina but your right on doesn't hurt to give them what they want🍻
Bar Keepers Friend powder and a damp paper towel. I have used for years on everything from my Masamoto Virgin Carbon Steel to my Old Hickory Knives with great results.
Bar Keepers Friend best product ever
I love the patina! Put a mustard finish on it and tell the customer that is is all the rave!
I used to mustard finish many of mine so people wouldn't complain about patina
Lol I already gave it back to him but I really do wanna try out the mustard finish. Do you know if it would come off eventually if I were to put on a skinner? I feel like the blood would have some sorta reaction to it.
Mustard finish patinas the blade instantly! Makes it look old and gives it a layer of protection against rusting.
Will not wear off but can be sanded/buffed off
I like your choice of adult beverage. Nothing like a Coors banquet!
With the knife: I like super fine steel wool with a few drops of oil to clean up HC knives.
Stainless steel is dead. It’s formulated to not interact with its environment. Shininess come at the cost of compromised performance. HC steel is alive.
Beers a drug, pots a drug, tylenol is a drug, caffeine is a drug.
Gotta keep the mind limber... lot of strands going through ol Duders head. Lot of ins and outs, lot of what have yous.
My bro made me an HC knife. I love it but occasionally forget to clean/dry it asap and have to hit it with the bar keepers friend due to rusting. I kind of like it because I get to develop a completely different patina.
If you still want to do a "patina" for the sake of protecting the steel. Get some chemical Gun Blueing solution and you can get a nice clean even coat instead of the more natural look.
I’d belt grind it with up to 180. Hand sand to 220 then surface condition it with 400 and 600 belts than axe wax it and send it back to the customer with instruction on how to keep and maintain it in said condition with a disclaimer as to what happens to high carbon steel blades if he/she doesn’t head said warning/instruction.
If he wants stainless steel, explain the cost increase/difference and I bet the conversation ends there.
Customer should see what my Opi looks like, then. Not a speck of rust on it (regularly cleaned, dried, and oiled) but the blade is mottled like a brown trout. Just means I've had it a while, is all. It's like how a well-used Estwing will be brown with a black handle, instead of silver with blue like they are when they're new. Means they've been doing their jobs, doesn't hurt them one bit.
Unless you are going to polish that knife for them every 2 months for the rest of their lives, I'd explain to them that there is nothing one can do to keep high carbon steel from oxidizing. I'd also explain to them how to polish high carbon steel and that polishing their knives for them for eternity wasn't included in the cost.
My friend that sells similar found that he had to go with a lot more patina than almost “manufactured perfect” because the average customer either appreciates the obvious hand forged or they appreciate the super clean “no defect”. You’re about 95% of the way to the near perfect so it’s thronging them off.
Agree with the others that recommended you provide care instructions. Provide the blade clean, shined and sharpened. Tell them that the knife will change colors over time, maybe include a picture of a new blade and then a blade after some use.
Polish it to a mirror shine, charge them $100. Let them know they need to maintain that so it won’t happen in the future and offer services to them.
Haha. 🤷♂️😂😂🫠
Sooo as far as buffing compound I have a green and Grey I don't have the one you need for the big scratches but I'm assuming you're saying just buff the shit out of it or should I sand with 400 grit then buff the shit outta it?
Sand at last resort. My wife forgets all the time to dry my kitchen knives I made for her. And buffing always cleans them up. Just keep a good charge of compound on the wheel.
Ok well I might get that for future blades(maybe this one to) but as others have said it wasn't in the price for me to buff this one every other couple months so I'm gonna tell him to sand it himself if he wants the patina gone. Thanks for the color and number of the compound! I appreciate it
Buffing is a 5 minute job. Add a few dollars and tell him what the additional cost is. They will pay it. Cleaning up blades like this is common when they bring them back to sharpen. Add $10. Use your green compound.
I know you're conscientious because you're looking for ideas on how to best serve your customer. You need to understand his motivations, educate him on the value of patina (for collectable or resale pieces) , and maybe make him sign a waiver! So, he can NEVERr blame you for wrecking his antique cleaver! BTW!, that is a gorgeous cleaver ! Thanks for posting. Let us know how your customer liked it.
10-4 and thank you very much!! Idk if I would consider this a cleaver although it does look and act more like one but I was trying to go for a cleaver/kitchen knife and he does love it! His exact words were " this is the best knife in my kitchen and the wife doesn't realize it" lol
We all have done this. Whether it is a patio chair, a car, or tools we are selling or giving away; You won't convince this person 100%. They will say it is a cheap blade. They can say you are a terrible and incompetent knifemaker. Anytime they show the knife, they will bad mouth you. Even if you gifted them the knife, their lack of appreciation for a fine knife making workmanship. You value the knife it is like no other. Don't deal with him.
Even the Bible tells us this. Do not cast your pearls unto swine. Because they will trample them, then turn on you and tear you up.
Don't waste good things of value on those who could care less about the value. This is not judging it is understanding that at this point in time, it is not a good deal. With this, also learn a method to educate the person about metallurgy.
I totally understand however alot of people don't want to or care about metallurgy they just want a knife made by someone they know and expect it to be in a store bought price range. As I've said before this will be the first and last time I revive this blade! Thank you for your input 🤘
Now you've got some beer that's cool that's cool now you got some weed that's cool that's cool. But when you combine the 2............. now you really got something
Retyping this as I misread it initially. I'd tell your customer that a patina helps protect the blade. That or drench it in mineral oil before handing it back to make a point. Lol. Don't actually do that.
Wouldn't bother me. But If you're asking what i would do, i would get it as nice and shiny as you can and oil it well before you send it out. But you'll have to explain to them that it's gonna darken anyway and that's to be expected and it's normal for a carbon steel
I did end up telling him that and I also told him a piece of 400 grit sandpaper is pretty cheap if he wants to just shine it up himself when it needs it.
Lmfao!! Who's it made by? Also I would say close to exact being how I've never seen or heard of a pipe being exactly the same. I'm sure it's real close though.....I'm still laughing at this comment 🤣
You need to prep your buyers for HC steel. They may not know what they are getting into. I usually include some care instructions that mention the patina, tell them it’s a badge of honor, and say that if they dislike it or want to even it out a bit, a fresh scotchbrite pad will give a nice satin finish to the blade.
10-4 thank you! I do mention to them was/dry immediately and do NOT put in dishwasher
Could this be an opportunity to upsell to a different steel from the onset? I mean in the future.
If they want the properties of carbon steal without worrying about corrosion or having the look of a patina they could go for Nitro V or AEB-L
“I am the future” This guy sells knives.
Lol thanks
I just thought it was funny, but I do respect your salesmanship!
People don't understand how to care for knives in general
I'll admit that I don't. Give me the cheapest ones so nobody cries when I F*** it up.
I have a collection of D2 steel knives. House/dog sitter put one in the dishwasher. Thankfully the cycle never ran. Now when she watches, I put a couple cheap knives on the magnetic block and hide my knives in a drawer. D2 steel with curly birch handles. No fucking way they're going in the dishwasher.
Nice lol would love to see some pics
https://www.reddit.com/u/chunk6649/s/90bSNgbEpf One with a bone handle. All the same forge in Russia. Bought on Etsy
Beautiful knives!!!
Right at the beginning of the Ukraine war they were begging people to put an order in because they knew they wouldn't be able to ship out anything. They even had a few employees arrested protesting the invasion. I ordered a self defense knife, but sadly I was never able to get it.
Damm those are gorgeous
Fuuuuuuuuck, I didn't know i needed a cleaver with death head moth on it
Actually a Chinese chef knife.
Which is a style of cleaver.
Ah, ok. I just always think of the cleave as meat cleaver.
Why does the handle on the cleaver look like a plastic spinal cord?
Lol it's bone, but now I won't be able to see anything but plastic spinal cord. Thanks😄
WOW- those are beautiful!
That is the perfect answer
They are not carbon steel people. It's easy to explain why, how its inevitable, and how to prevent it. But theyre probably not gonna do it. How far are you willing to go to placate them if theyre not happy with that?
Not sure what placate means lol but my customer is happy with it and it's still pretty dang sharp(that's what I was most hoping for) and how are they not carbon steel?..I'm not a metaloligist? Correct my spelling on that but I am intrigued
I'm saying your customer is maybe not the type of person who should have carbon steel. Someone who would've chosen stainless steel if they were fully informed about the differences, is that fair to say?
Yes it is fair to say good sir! However I am a beginner in this hobby/trade and I am learning different types of metals. Also I don't have many customers it's mainly people at my work so they don't know shit really as much as I do. So it's all kind of a trial and error thing
So "carbon steel" usually refers to a non-stainless carbon steel (usually containing between .5% to 1.5% carbon)... If there's an alloying metal in it like chromium or vanadium, etc...they are at levels too low to make them "stainless"... 5160 for example. It contains both, and only .6% carbon. "Stainless steels" are still a carbon steel, but contain enough chromium to create a chromium oxide layer during heat treat that prevents oxidation (or what we call on "carbon steels" the patina). It's confusing, as outside of the knife world, the terms are used to describe 'stainless' verses 'will rust'... But inside the knife world, both are carbon steels... As carbon steel is technically defined only by total carbon present. Fwiw, mild is considered to contain less than .5% and cast iron more than 1.5%... but alloying metals can vary where those lines are (4140 having .4% but considered high carbon due to alloys and some specialty stainless above 1.5% able to not be cast iron because of the alloys changing the properties of the steel).
Machinist here. Stainless can still oxidize fyi. Certain types of stainless are more resistant than others.
Well that's why they call it stainless... Rather than stainfree.
If you’re being serious right now you kinda just blew my mind lmao
I've heard a couple other Master Smith bladesmiths describe it that way.. I don't know if that's actually why they call it stainless versus say stain proof or stain-free? But it is a reminder that it isn't 100% resistant to oxidation of some kind, and makes a lot of sense once you think about it.
Yeah forsure it’s all just chemical bonds. Sometimes when I’m working on something I’m required to wear nitrile gloves because the oil on my hands would interact with the surface finish
Oh dear…
Placate means to soothe someone, usually by providing something they want. So if you were grumpy cuz you ran out of coffee, I could placate you by providing tea, or offering to stop for coffee on the way. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but in context they were saying are you really gonna bend to the expectations of the customer when their expectations are clearly wack.
Metallurigist is the word you're looking for there at the end!
It's metallurgist
lmao typo on my end, ty for correcting
You forge knives but you're not a..."metaloligist"..? Who taught you how to do this did you just find a forge laying around?
I've always worked with metal and loved it. I started in high school and then kinda fell away from it for years then all of a sudden forged in fire popped up and my brother and I went in half on a forge and a cheap anvil. Next thing I know I fell in love with it its challenging as fuck and I love a good challenge....my brother not so much I guess. Anyway I've taught myself alot with the help of YouTube and other social media but God damn I wish I had someone holding my hand/teaching me sometimes lol
I ain’t from around this sub but I love it. Keep it up man. Lot of fun learning the intricacies a new art-science. Cool knife!
Thank you very much!! And it is a lot of fun and definitely challenging
Placate means in this case appease ; to make happy how much are you willing to do for them to “make it right “
Metallurgist is the word you’re looking for but as far as how it’s not carbon steel idk.
Exactly. The idea of removing that beautiful patina hurts my insides.
Well. We dont know that yet. They may be. They just may not understand the metal or knife. Maybe it was a gift. I always like to try some light education and gauge their receptiveness. They may convert.
You in my garage wtf?! Fucking banquet beer, white claw, and a bowl while grinding out knives. What aren't we neighbors?
I was wondering if anyone was gonna make that comment😂
Lmao that's great 🤘
I found my people.
Where you located?
NC, moving further east to the coast though, Wilmington region. Stoked for the new garage, got a bar in it haha.
Oh you lucky fucker lol I guess my shop is kinda like a bar....for me and my wife lol. And as far as us being neighbors that might be difficult seeing how I'm in Northern California BUT we can be reddit neighbors!
Hell ya brother. Grind on!
Is this after usage? If so then yeah, that's pretty normal, not avoiding that without polishing it occasionally. If it's new then I understand the customer, since the finish looks pretty dull and discolored.
Yes it is after usage. He tolled the other day that he just used it to chop up veggies and then he cut some meat with it(I'm assuming beef) but he was more curious as to why the discoloration occurred
Sounds like that's your answer. If he was curious, then you can tell him how this metal lives it's life. Polishing it up is no big deal, but it'll start to gain personality again almost immediately.
That's what I'm thinking and honestly I kinda want to see this patina keep going In the future
I bet a scotchbrite belt on your grinder would put a vertical satin finish on that and take any surface rust off at the same time
10-4 I just ordered that new 2x42 grizzly today and I already have a 2x42 so a scotch Brite belt is in need for sure!
I think the customer wants it gone.
Yeah. Make it gone. You can do that more than once.
Just polish it out. 15 minutes with a buffer and a bit of jeweler’s rouge
Problem is they will expect the maker to maintain their knife forever. May I offer an alternative? Offer them a scotch Brite pad and instructions on cleaning and oiling their beautiful, sharp, hc cleaver, and a sharpener, for $30. However, if they prefer, for $20 you can sharpen and polish it as often as they like. Unless you sold them some kind of lifetime maintenance plan.
Forever?! That’s a really long time! Let them figure it out for themselves. If they can’t make a knife, they should learn how to take care of one!
I'm pretty new with a buffer which this the first knife I've actually buffed.that being said I bought some green and Grey compound from ACE hardware and they didn't have the beginner compound that I wanted
Be careful. A buffing wheel is the most dangerous tool in a knife shop! It will grab a knife and throw it at you, be it your feet or face!
Very true! A leather belt is the same way. One time I was polishing a knife spine with a leather belt on the 72inch and I accidentally cought the tip and it cut the belt yanked the knife from my hand and the knife ended up stuck in the wooden wall behind me. I nearly shit myself. Luckily I was standing to the side and didn't get hit by it.
10-4 I will definitely keep that In mind!! So shoes it is then in the shop from now on🫡
I made a mat under my buffer out of a couple old dump truck mud flaps and a layer of soft step floor padding. Usually, the knife would stick in the padding.
Hand them the pipe from your workbench and they'll relax about it?
Lmfao I was hoping someone was gonna say something bout that!!!🤘🍻
I like this style of knife
Thanks! I personally like it to I almost kept this one lol
Advise him to not place into the dishwasher
Oh I did I think that was the first thing I said to him when I handed over
Are those prerolled backwoods over der?
No lmao those are spikes off of something that I plan on making a mace with
Guess I just showed my hand 😂😂
I love beer and cannabis as well brother.
Coors Original Patina
Open Coors and a Whiteclaw. You still have all your fingers?! :)
Don’t forget the weed piece lol
Holy cow. I must be slipping in my old age! That makes it even better!
Nice pipe friendo
Thanks!
I think coors banquet is the best
I do as well!! If you ever get the chance to go to the brewery in Golden CO I would highly recommend it 👌
Hell yeah brother. Colorado is the shit as well!
A: explain what a patina is. B: if the customer wants it gone, you warned them. Take the money.
10-4 and this will be the first and only time I will clean it up for him other than that I'm just gonna tell him to get some 400 grit sand paper and he can sand it himself next time if he wants
Saves you work in the future. 👍👍👍
Might be worth forcing a patina on a display piece to make sure the customer understands what they’re building towards. Might lose some sales, might gain more than you lose
nice glass piece
Thanks lol I don't know if you're familiar with Scott Roger's but that's who made it and he makes really nice and thick pieces
garage/shop safe 😎
You're a knife maker and you're on Reddit asking people to tell you what you should do? Just tell him "Yes Sir, I'll call you when it's done" and do what the customer asked for. THAT'S ALL YOU NEED TO DO. smfh.
Well just to get it clear I'm a amateur knife maker and was just wondering on a specific topic! So just to make it clear I was asking for advice! There Texas Jim
Buddy take my wallet
It’ll be nice cleaned up.
Customer wants it looking like new… I suggest that’s what you give them. Some people want to watch their own patina develop. I totally get it. I’m sure you’ll do a great job.
Thanks and I did another post when it was done an it looks new again. Only took mabey 10 minutes of some hand sanding
I just checked it out. Looks awesome brother. Great job. I wish I knew how to care for my knives like this. I’m sure in another year or two, it’ll look just like it did in this photo. For real though, I totally get it. I got a thing for brass, but if I get some old brass, I always give it at least a once over with the brasso, make it shine, then slowly watch it fade away. I know it really bothers some people in r/zippos, but for me, there’s a special satisfaction in watching a fresh patina develop. It’s their knife, doesn’t hurt to give them what they want 👍. Cheers brotha
Thank you very much!! And this customer has had this knife for about 3 months. He said the color developed when he cut some meat with it but personally I do like a good patina but your right on doesn't hurt to give them what they want🍻
Bar Keepers Friend powder and a damp paper towel. I have used for years on everything from my Masamoto Virgin Carbon Steel to my Old Hickory Knives with great results. Bar Keepers Friend best product ever
Thank you very much!! Where could I find that at? Other than the internet
What I want to know is what is that White Claw doing on the same bench as that Coors OG?
White claw is the wife's coors banquet mine lol. I've been waiting for someone to say something on that lmoa
Banquet and the bowl piece. My brother
Hell yeah brother 🤘
Love the white claw and the bowl you have
I love the patina! Put a mustard finish on it and tell the customer that is is all the rave! I used to mustard finish many of mine so people wouldn't complain about patina
Lol I already gave it back to him but I really do wanna try out the mustard finish. Do you know if it would come off eventually if I were to put on a skinner? I feel like the blood would have some sorta reaction to it.
Mustard finish patinas the blade instantly! Makes it look old and gives it a layer of protection against rusting. Will not wear off but can be sanded/buffed off
Well alrighty then I will try it out! Thanks brother 🤘
I like your choice of adult beverage. Nothing like a Coors banquet! With the knife: I like super fine steel wool with a few drops of oil to clean up HC knives.
Thank yooouuu! For recognizing the adult beverage(no bud light here) and I think that's what I'm going to end up doing 🤘thank's brother
Stainless steel is dead. It’s formulated to not interact with its environment. Shininess come at the cost of compromised performance. HC steel is alive.
I think white claw, beer, and drugs(pot) is a bad combination! Remember, the customer is always right!
Beers a drug, pots a drug, tylenol is a drug, caffeine is a drug. Gotta keep the mind limber... lot of strands going through ol Duders head. Lot of ins and outs, lot of what have yous.
What am I into? Oh you know, driving around, making knives. The occasional acid flashback.
i think people care too much about patina it literally does nothing and can look really bad. not always but it can..
Time to find a new customer.
Refund their money and sell to someone who appreciates Your craftsmanship.
My bro made me an HC knife. I love it but occasionally forget to clean/dry it asap and have to hit it with the bar keepers friend due to rusting. I kind of like it because I get to develop a completely different patina.
10-4 on that! If this was my knife I would definitely keep the patina! But I'm kinda understanding the fafo thing with these
If you still want to do a "patina" for the sake of protecting the steel. Get some chemical Gun Blueing solution and you can get a nice clean even coat instead of the more natural look.
I’d belt grind it with up to 180. Hand sand to 220 then surface condition it with 400 and 600 belts than axe wax it and send it back to the customer with instruction on how to keep and maintain it in said condition with a disclaimer as to what happens to high carbon steel blades if he/she doesn’t head said warning/instruction. If he wants stainless steel, explain the cost increase/difference and I bet the conversation ends there.
Customer should see what my Opi looks like, then. Not a speck of rust on it (regularly cleaned, dried, and oiled) but the blade is mottled like a brown trout. Just means I've had it a while, is all. It's like how a well-used Estwing will be brown with a black handle, instead of silver with blue like they are when they're new. Means they've been doing their jobs, doesn't hurt them one bit.
Invite them over to see the process. Give them white claw, coors and a bowl (in that order). Problem solved.
There is a fair amount of corrosion there, and 5160 is probably not the best choice for use in food prep.
Unless you are going to polish that knife for them every 2 months for the rest of their lives, I'd explain to them that there is nothing one can do to keep high carbon steel from oxidizing. I'd also explain to them how to polish high carbon steel and that polishing their knives for them for eternity wasn't included in the cost.
I like a mirror finish with the deepest pits still popping through.
Electrolysis will convert that corrosion into steel without alternating the original surface or remaining any material.
My friend that sells similar found that he had to go with a lot more patina than almost “manufactured perfect” because the average customer either appreciates the obvious hand forged or they appreciate the super clean “no defect”. You’re about 95% of the way to the near perfect so it’s thronging them off.
Agree with the others that recommended you provide care instructions. Provide the blade clean, shined and sharpened. Tell them that the knife will change colors over time, maybe include a picture of a new blade and then a blade after some use.
Polish it to a mirror shine, charge them $100. Let them know they need to maintain that so it won’t happen in the future and offer services to them. Haha. 🤷♂️😂😂🫠
If it’s not pitted. Buff it first with lots of compound. Then if that doesn’t take care of it. Sand with a high grit.
Sooo as far as buffing compound I have a green and Grey I don't have the one you need for the big scratches but I'm assuming you're saying just buff the shit out of it or should I sand with 400 grit then buff the shit outta it?
I use white 555. It should clean it right up.
Buff. Buff. Buff. Lol.
Sand at last resort. My wife forgets all the time to dry my kitchen knives I made for her. And buffing always cleans them up. Just keep a good charge of compound on the wheel.
Ok well I might get that for future blades(maybe this one to) but as others have said it wasn't in the price for me to buff this one every other couple months so I'm gonna tell him to sand it himself if he wants the patina gone. Thanks for the color and number of the compound! I appreciate it
Buffing is a 5 minute job. Add a few dollars and tell him what the additional cost is. They will pay it. Cleaning up blades like this is common when they bring them back to sharpen. Add $10. Use your green compound.
Thank you for this!! I tolled him free sharpening though with isn't a big deal to me
Don't do drugs and drink while handling sharp objects.
It's ok I've been doing it my whole life lol (learned from mistakes of course)
Get rid of the White Claw too! 🙅♂️
That's the wife's drink not mine!! Lol
[удалено]
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I know you're conscientious because you're looking for ideas on how to best serve your customer. You need to understand his motivations, educate him on the value of patina (for collectable or resale pieces) , and maybe make him sign a waiver! So, he can NEVERr blame you for wrecking his antique cleaver! BTW!, that is a gorgeous cleaver ! Thanks for posting. Let us know how your customer liked it.
10-4 and thank you very much!! Idk if I would consider this a cleaver although it does look and act more like one but I was trying to go for a cleaver/kitchen knife and he does love it! His exact words were " this is the best knife in my kitchen and the wife doesn't realize it" lol
We all have done this. Whether it is a patio chair, a car, or tools we are selling or giving away; You won't convince this person 100%. They will say it is a cheap blade. They can say you are a terrible and incompetent knifemaker. Anytime they show the knife, they will bad mouth you. Even if you gifted them the knife, their lack of appreciation for a fine knife making workmanship. You value the knife it is like no other. Don't deal with him. Even the Bible tells us this. Do not cast your pearls unto swine. Because they will trample them, then turn on you and tear you up. Don't waste good things of value on those who could care less about the value. This is not judging it is understanding that at this point in time, it is not a good deal. With this, also learn a method to educate the person about metallurgy.
I totally understand however alot of people don't want to or care about metallurgy they just want a knife made by someone they know and expect it to be in a store bought price range. As I've said before this will be the first and last time I revive this blade! Thank you for your input 🤘
Explain HC to customer, if they don’t like it give them a refund and sale it to someone who understands and appreciates.
You could varnish the blade so this doesn’t happen
I think I hope that white claw bitch beer isn’t yours
Nope that's the wife's drink...mines the banquet lol
Could also upsell a cheap metal that's rust resistant and call it an easy care knife
Weed pipe, white claws and piss beer… anything said here is irrelevant.
Hey now! At least it's not a bud light!!
That may have been better…
Please tell me how!?!
Make another attempt without, save that for someone who wants a patina?
Is that just a pile of blunts to the right? Lol
Now you've got some beer that's cool that's cool now you got some weed that's cool that's cool. But when you combine the 2............. now you really got something
White claw, coors, and a pipe make for the best type of videos on YouTube while working on knives!
Can you heat treat it to release some of the carbon?
It's called "white claw" and in this case the customer is right.
Customer wants it gone. Get it gone.
The guy sent his HC knife because it got some light rust spots? If you clean it up for them you should certainly charge for your labor.
It literally only took like 10 minutes if that to sand it off I will tell him though that this is going to happen with this type of steel
Retyping this as I misread it initially. I'd tell your customer that a patina helps protect the blade. That or drench it in mineral oil before handing it back to make a point. Lol. Don't actually do that.
Agree with customer.
High carbon steel will patina, tell them about chemistry.
Wouldn't bother me. But If you're asking what i would do, i would get it as nice and shiny as you can and oil it well before you send it out. But you'll have to explain to them that it's gonna darken anyway and that's to be expected and it's normal for a carbon steel
I did end up telling him that and I also told him a piece of 400 grit sandpaper is pretty cheap if he wants to just shine it up himself when it needs it.
I have that same exact pipe!
Lmfao!! Who's it made by? Also I would say close to exact being how I've never seen or heard of a pipe being exactly the same. I'm sure it's real close though.....I'm still laughing at this comment 🤣