Thread: Finish treatments?

Would any of the more experienced restoration folk offer up an opinion here?

This is an all original Blue Diamond razor. The tang has an amazing sapphire blue coloration to it, that blends to a purple as it approaches the heal of the blade. it has a translucent semi iridescence that reminds me of case hardening. But judging from the wear marks, it is little more than an thin coating of some sort.

Would anybody know how this was achieved? A form of anodizing perhaps? I have never seen gun bluing of this coloration before, but perhaps a similar method?
Pic is not the best, but it should give you a good enough idea what I am talking about. I will try and get a better one in daylight if you think it will help.
I want to restore an older blue diamond, and have no clue what to do.

wow, I dont think I have ever seen a question in the workshop go unanswered before!

Hang in there, somebody will know the answer.

Bet a nickel it was a sort of blueing salt applied after it was nice &i shiney

My Genco Easy Aces has a tang like that - the iridescence you describe is something to behold. Would love to see it replicated, modern bluing doesn't compare!

I wonder if the same anodizing proceedure for titanium would take and replicate the coloring?

Could it be a Ti coating? Usually a coating of any of the Titanium based "hardeners" produces an iridescence. Tiodizing produces a very friction-free surface for some of the work I do. It could be something similar!

Looks like old fashion Nitric acid rust blue.You see the same on Old winchester rifles.
It can be done at home but is a labourious process.
Takes about two weeks to do a rifle barrel.

I cant say I have ever seen a rust blue like this. Maybe EisenFaust can get us a picture of his? my photographic skills are lacking!

Originally Posted by Magpie

I cant say I have ever seen a rust blue like this. Maybe EisenFaust can get us a picture of his? my photographic skills are lacking!

Most likely because it is worn.