coloring metal

[MRoyse]

Ive seen pics of high end knives where the art was colored differently, almost like a patina to enhance the engraving work. any idea how this is done? heat treatment? chemicals? both?
thanks in advance!
M. Royse

 

[monk]

without a specific foto it's a guess. heat treatment, oxidizing chemicals, electroplating, brush plating comes to mind. the book by james b. meeks shows a way he would chemically color a gun and selectively erasing areas to show tonal gradation. many ways to skin that cat

 

[DanM]

Many of them are titanium scales.... https://www.google.com/search?sourc...HT9dDxsQjJkEegQILhAC&biw=1231&bih=642&dpr=1.3

 

[monk]

if titanium ,simply applying variable dc voltages can produce a wide range of colors. it is easy to do but there's a good deal of practice needed before one can confidently work on an expensive knife. a variable dc power supply is required to do this. also an etching acid and electrolyte solution is needed. specific voltages will produce certain colors. i've done just enough of this work to decide it wasn't my "thing".

 

[mitch]

Danae Cresswell (Dani Girl here on the Cafe) is a whiz at coloring titanium. Maybe she’ll chime in here.