Matthew Orr Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 What do you guys use to make the blade all black minus the cutting edge. Im not sure how to even search for this topic. I want to make my Dad a Kabar that he used when he was in the USMC. I bought him a hand forged one but someone stole it. Now that im getting into bladesmithing id like to make him one to replace it. Just dont know how to get the color on it. Thanks! P.S. Special thanks for having this forum. Without it, i would have never started.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Fischer Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I believe Kabars and other tactical knives are actually painted with special bake on finishes similar to firearms to achieve that matte black look. If you want a dark, forged black I find that liquid gun blue followed by a dip in bleach will turn metal very dark. I'm sure others will have better suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel James Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 the utilitarian covering of linseed oil mixed with bees wax works good rubbed on at black temps ive found. Others might have other/better solutions And Semper Fi to your dad But i do agree most of the kabars are probably coated with some black-colored rust preventative not a paint per-say. I think a forge finished kabar and coated in my aforementioned mix would serve its purpose well. Next make him an E-tool he will hate you for it! Bahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Orr Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) what do you mean by black temps? an E-tool? bleh used one too many times. Don't want to do that to him or me lol Edited November 2, 2015 by Matt Orr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Orr Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I believe Kabars and other tactical knives are actually painted with special bake on finishes similar to firearms to achieve that matte black look. If you want a dark, forged black I find that liquid gun blue followed by a dip in bleach will turn metal very dark. I'm sure others will have better suggestions. I dont live that far from you. I live 30 minutes south of St Louis. Howdy Neighbor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Rose Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 IIRC Kabars were originally Parkerized - again IIRc you can get the Parkerizing material from a gunsmith supply like Brownells. You can also get the black bake on finish from them as well. Chuck Burrows Wild Rose Trading Co chuck@wrtcleather.com www.wrtcleather.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Fischer Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 I dont live that far from you. I live 30 minutes south of St Louis. Howdy Neighbor! Awesome, nice to meet ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel James Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 oh i wasnt aware of this being a stand alone technique thanks Wild rose http://m1-garand-rifle.com/parkerizing/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel James Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 oh sorry, black heat as in just heat your work before it reaches color. Around 900 degrees it starts turning faint red as the temp raises the colors change as sort of a guide of how hot the piece is. So get it hot paint brush or rub on the oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Orr Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 Thanks for the info. Got to give it a shot. I didn't realize Kabars were made out of 1095 steel. Do you think its core is milder steel like 1084? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragoncutlery Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 4501 nope mono steel Brandon Sawisch bladesmith eagles may soar but weasels don't get sucked in to jet engines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Detrick Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Like Chuck said, Parkerizing is good. You can also by synthetic coatings from KG Industries. They make coating materials for tools, guns and knives. “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." -Albert Camus http://www.krakenforge.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Sheffield Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 I like the lindseed oil/bee wax myself. I dont live that far from you. I live 30 minutes south of St Louis. Howdy Neighbor!Arnold area? I live 20 min north of the Lou on the Illinois side. My sister and her family lives just south if the Arnold area. My life is like shaving with a razor sharp machete. It's a bit awkward and I feel a sting every now and then, but in the end I'm happy with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Orr Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 I live in Barnhart Missouri about 10 minutes from arnold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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