Hot apple cider vinegar forced patina.

[Aloha]

I've been wanting to try this forced patina on my Opinel for a little while.  I got hold of a Buck Creek that I initially polished but felt it would look better with black blades.

There are many great posted methods but the one I used is this one http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/928315-Get-A-Deep-Even-Black-Patina-On-1095-Carbon-Steel

I wasn't concerned at making it perfect so I skipped the polishing step.  I just rinsed with cold water then dried the blades and used mineral oil. 

I like the Opinel that my roommate did, the Buck Creek I did came out pretty good but I had a hard time getting the tang on one blade. 

[zoidberg]

 

[Sparky415]

 

 

[Marcellus]

The Opinel looks good, Aloha

I use the hot apple cider vinegar method myself, especially on carbon blade Opinels and Moras

Recently used it a an old  Schrade  stockman model 340T  that needed
blade restoration and edge attention, as the dark patina covered a lot of marks and blemishes