Black Oxide Question

[Threeme2189]

I had a feeling you would come through with the answer Steve

Seems like the whole process is not unlike putting a patina on a carbon steel blade, just with stronger chemicals and neutralizers.

Anytime. I have done countless hours of research on this.
@syph007
Yes the cold process leaves chemicals on the surface, and even if you clean it, you get 2 solutions.
1- the cold black oxide surface is gone
2- the metal stays pitted and looks horrible, also it rusts very easy

I know, I tried, and the cold process, without use of a better word, just plain sucks for knife use.

Ya from what I heard, on stainless steel its pointless to try the cold.  I dont know about regualar steel as it would be easier to oxidize, it may be better. 

Is the hot method an option for DIY?  Ive never heard of a home version, but im sure its possible.

Yes and no. You can DIY if you want to spend a grand or 3.

"Just" 3 grand?
Sing me up

[dks]

We can all put our money together and get one!!   

I have used gun-blue on shotguns which is a cold process and after a bit of time the, remaining,  coating stops coming off (a lot cheaper than paying someone to do it for you). The coating has survived fine for many years, by the way.
Of course, with a shotgun you worry about a lot more toxic chemicals than the coating on the barrels. My most recent shotgun has the hot-process coating (from looking at it) from the factory.

[tattoosteve99]

On steel a chemical works better because it's not resistant to those chemical. Stainless is that's why it's called stainless.