Darkening stainless steel ???????????

[knives-are-quiet]

I put together a fixed knife for camping and hiking needs "Bushcraft".
I gave it that old world antique look.
The blade is made of a high carbon stainless steel.
Anything out there on the market, or better yet, a homemade solution that could give this blade a dark patina like a true carbon steel one?
Appreciate any help~

Thanks,

jamie~

[allmightyoz]

let me know if you find something that works, im looking to do the same thing

[knives-are-quiet]

let me know if you find something that works, im looking to do the same thing

Found this on the internet.
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/black.htm#stainless

Not too sure if I want to try it.
From what I'm reading it darkens the steel but you have to use a sealer.
I guess it darkens the steel but the patina will ware off quickly.
I would rather find some homemade solution or procedure that lasts.
Maybe I'm beating a dead horse.
Stainless steel was made not to stain.

JW

[conslade]

First off, stainless steel will stain, it stains less than carbon steel. Having said that, yes, you can darken stainless steel. There are several bluing solutions available. I know of one that Brownells sells called Oxynate 84, that is a hot tank solution. But there are a lot of home bluing solutions out there. I'll bet that one of them will darken the stainless. I would experiment on some scrap pieces tho. Check with my good friend, Mr.Google, he knows everything.