Thread: Blued razors?

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

Hi Goog,

I use the same lye/fertiliser mix to 'hot' blue - here's a Timor I did quite a while ago (photo isn't up to much - the reddish mottling on the blade wasn't there in real-life):
The mixture isn't used a blade-temper distorting heats - well under in fact.
Regards,
Neil

Just making sure I read that typo correctly that the mixture isn't used AT temper distorting temps...right. That's something I hadn't thought about. If I remember, the solution boils at close to 300F. I need to be much higher than that to damage the blade.....right...right?

goog

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Just making sure I read that typo correctly that the mixture isn't used AT temper distorting temps...right. That's something I hadn't thought about. If I remember, the solution boils at close to 300F. I need to be much higher than that to damage the blade.....right...right?

goog

You may be getting close to tempering temperature but it depends on the steel. If I recall correctly some tool steels are tempered around 400/450. Best to Google 'tempering tool steel' and see what you get.

Another option available at gun shops is Belgian Blue, which is a cold bluing solution you just wipe on.

Good luck

Originally Posted by greatgoogamooga

Just making sure I read that typo correctly that the mixture isn't used AT temper distorting temps...right. That's something I hadn't thought about. If I remember, the solution boils at close to 300F. I need to be much higher than that to damage the blade.....right...right?

goog

That dyslexia is gaining on me! I have corrected the typo now thanks. The mixture I use is used at 285 degrees F, so has no effect on the blades I have put through it.

Regards,
Neil

I have used the new Birchwood Casey- Super Blue (there is a difference in them) on a few tangs with very good sucess... I haven't tried it on the whole razor but I don't see why it wouldn't work...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I have used the new Birchwood Casey- Super Blue (there is a difference in them) on a few tangs with very good sucess... I haven't tried it on the whole razor but I don't see why it wouldn't work...

I did a rifle barrel with the stuff. Surprisingly good for a cold blue product. Been on there for about a year and still holding up nicely. It's all in the prep work.

Goog

Hey guys long time. no post.

The interesting thing I found with bluing a whole blade is the forgiveness in the finish. Don't get me wrong, preparation is everything, BUT, Bluing can take a bad blade and make it usable.

What I mean and from my experience is that I had an old Bengall that I just knew I could not get to a nice mirror finish due to an even coat of rust and a lot of manual labor. I suppose I could have saved it if I wanted to lose alot of blade size and thickness, but decided another route. I went with cold blueing.

After a good first soak, the blueing actually took off the layer of rust and left me with a nice even steel finish. This was after a rinse and light sanding of 600. I did that 2 more times and a final dip and had a nice smooth, blue finish.

I can only assume that the chemical mixture to blueing removes some metal (surface) as it works. Myself, I would not do it with a razor that could be brought back to mirror luster, but I would do it to one that could be salvaged as "usable".

As an aside, it is one of my finest shavers, but thats because it is a Bengall, not because it is blued. . I'm glad I saved it.

-Jerry

Hey Kilowattkid ~ welcome back.
I've done a few Bengalls with Perma blue paste also.
Polishing them back with some metal polish gives a nice grey patina effect without all the acid bath process.
The Super Blue sounds good.