Thread: Creating Patina

Hi, I've been interested in old razors with nice patina lately; and shaving with them essentially 'as is' after honing; as much as possible (i.e. leaving them as original as possible). I haven't actually started yet (in the process of buying some patinatious razors (nice made up word, there)).

Ages ago I read somewhere a thread about creating 'patina'. I also around the same time read a thread where someone 'suspected' that Aloe Vera pre shave oil or cream stained his razor. I said at the time that I'd do a little experiment, to see if Aloe Vera could be used to introduce 'patina' to make a razor look old. I said I think it'd be cool to be able to use a natural product (I can't remember what could also be used). That was weeks ago. I did a small experiment last night where I smeared Aloe Vera 'juice' straight from a plant I have onto my De Pews razor. The result is below.

Basically, it created a brown stain. The razor was clean, though I always wipe them with Eucalyptus oil before putting them away. This oil is VERY light. I left the razor on my desk in my bedroom overnight. It gets cold in there at this time of the year and a little damp. The picture is the razor when I got up at 06:30. It took quite a bit of rubbing to remove it this evening, using Eucalyptus oil, a rag previously used with 'Brasso' (a metal polish), i.e. impregnated with Brasso years ago, and Turpentine.


So, what I learnt was:
* If you're using actual Aloe Vera as a pre shave oil it MAY not be a good idea and it'll be important to clean your razor, and
* I guess it COULD be used to 'introduce patination' esp with repeated applications, of via a dropper or toothpick, etc
* The colour is definitely brown. I myself would like a more grey-ish colour if I did want to make a razor look old.

PS, this post fits in two places, I think, here and the pre-shave section, so I'll put it in both locs if that's OK. Also, if anyone knows where those other threads were (about aloe vera staining a razor and introducing patination) it would be good linked to here, I guess.

Carl

On chefknivestogo.com they have a vid where he "forces" a patina using yellow mustard.

Michael

The razor in the pic below was done using warm vinegar, I quite like the colour it gives.
Ferric Chloride is another good method. Here is one thread on the subject
http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ed-patina.html
If you type forced patina into the search button you'll get a heap of threads to look through.
G.

Edit: Here's another interesting one http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ing-steel.html

Not really relevant to the original thread but many of the Ebay razors from Eastern Europe appear to heve been dipped in something that results in an overall dark grey coating - I suspect it's to disguise pitting and rust. Personally, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.

Lemon juice is quite often used to force patination as well.

Thanks for all the input. I may try some of the ideas on the De Pews. Not as nice as 'real' patina, of course, but nice nevertheless...

Try hot, white vinegar. I believe that's what Charlie uses to colour his razors. That's also what EPD used to colour the one he made for me.

Originally Posted by Maxi

Try hot, white vinegar. I believe that's what Charlie uses to colour his razors. That's also what EPD used to colour the one he made for me.

So...white vinegar in the microwave for a minute, soak the blade for 20 minutes? What's the process? Sounds interesting and I've got a few blades to test...

I have had luck using 1/2" of vinegar in a 3"x8" ish tupperware, microwave for 30 seconds then soak for 30-60 seconds per side. Repeat until you have the desired colour.

Its real important that you clean with acetone, and wear rubber gloves. Also wear glasses and maybe a respirator, microwaved vinegar has a violent ammonia stink.

I saw in Charlie's video he uses steel wool between dips, I never tried it but im sure it would help even out the finish.

Here is his video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtEPDzCa2A