M/27/I don’t know who’s in the Super Bowl (and I’m okay with it) EDC

Take that pretty, shiny new Opinel, and do this to it. It will give you a black patina that is pretty much a permanent shield against rust. It will look like this when you are done. https://dpolicastro-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/images/opinel/img-opinel-no-08-04.jpg I know some people want to keep that pretty shiny blade, but that wont stay that way no matter what you do to it.

Ingredients:

Apple cider vinegar

Cotton balls and paper towels

A pair of tongs or large tweezers

Non-abrasive silver polish

Rubbing alcohol, naphtha (lighter fluid) or acetone, etc.


Mask the handle material if it's stag, bone, or horn, etc. The vinegar can leach out the natural oils and dye, so try to keep it away from the handle scales. The ebony on my knife became slightly dry in spots, but it was good as new after a drop of lemon oil. If you do get any drying or discoloring, treat the scales with the appropriate moisturizer (mineral oil, lemon oil, etc.).

Clean the blade and/or springs thoroughly with the alcohol. Wipe dry and keep your fingers off the steel.

Pour enough cider vinegar into a small saucepan to cover the bottom, and carefully bring it to a boil. Good ventilation is a plus; it's smelly stuff.

Hold the cotton ball with the tongs, dip it in the pan and wipe down the steel from end to end with the hot vinegar repeatedly until the steel turns black. Keep dipping the cotton in the hot vinegar and wiping (about three to five minutes) until the steel color won't darken any further.

Use a folded paper towel to smoothly wipe away the vinegar on the steel in one smooth linear motion to avoid streaking or blotching. If the wipe doesn't result in a uniform color, apply more hot vinegar and try again. Wipe away any remaining vinegar from the handle and let dry.

Instead of trying to wipe away the vinegar to avoid streaking, just rinse it away with cold running tap water to neutralize the oxidization process. Dry thoroughly and oil.

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