knife questions again??

[bailebr3]

can you blue stainless or make it darker by applying blueing? and also do you guys recommend putting the scales on the blade first then shaping(exposed full tang)?? if so do you just tape off the tang and blade? any other tips are welcome.

thanks,
brandon

[OconeeDan]

Brandon, no you can not use standard blueing on stainless.
Lin Rhea recommended a product from Caswell, and if he recommended it you can be sure he has tried and liked it.
 http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm#stainless
Unless you can remove your handles, you pretty much have to shape/sand with then on the knife and then mask them off when applying a finish to the metal.
Dan

[skullworks]

Stainless will not take blueing. They make some specific chemicals for blackening stainless avaiable at most knife supply houses. I use a scroll saw to cut my scales close to the final shape, then finish them up after being attached. I tape off the blade but not the exposed tang area.

[bailebr3]

ok thanks guys

[bailebr3]

the blades i am using are 420hc....if i heat the blade to soften it for file work....how do i restore the temper of the blade....right now they are heat treated and hardened to 59 rc

[Jeremy]

420HC is still a medium carbon steel.  To get the most out of it the heat treatment needs to be exact.  Buck seems to know what they're doing with this steel, but few others can pull off even acceptable results with it.  I'd leave the filework for another knife.