Patina poll

[Cutty Sharp]

These two comments came up in a JBoida's recent 'Dispelling myths' thread:

In Japanese culture, is a patina acceptable on a knife or is it considered undesirable? Like I said, I've been around some hardcore guys who have carbon knives that are kept pristine all the time. I always have some patina on my knife, particularly on ura, where it never makes contact with a stone.

no patina in japan... people think of it as dirty

So I was wondering and thought it might be interesting to ask - yes or no? - how many of you are in favour of patinas on your knives?

Myself, if I have to choose, I'm starting to move towards a 'no patina' stance, particularly if it's a more expensive, well-finished knife. So my answer:

No.

[Twistington]

Yes on patina, even though shiny things are pretty and so I think patina is a part of carbon steel.

[MadMel]

Both Yes and No I think. If I had to make a choice tho, I'll go with mirror polish.. I love my shiny stuff.

[obtuse]

patina, hides my bad sharpening.

[DwarvenChef]

I love the build up of patina over years of use. You can track events over time as it is marked in the blade

[Salty dog]

My good ones stay shiny. The ones I share don't.

[Pensacola Tiger]

It depends on the knife. No patina on a yanagiba, but it's okay on a gyuto or sujihiki.

[shankster]

No patina,not my thang...

[Bigwaved]

I don't like patina.

[Vertigo]

<3 my patinas.