Any Prep Tips for brilliant patina?

[1315]

So what methods work best for you to remove patina with the intent to reset a new, brilliant patina? Does diamond film, diamond powder, stone powder, Alox/SiC or Diamond stones, Flitz, Simichrone, or Koyo all produce the same “prep base” to take on new patina? Does light grit make any difference (ie 600 vs 1500)? And what’s your favorite food/chem/acid to get those brilliant patinas we love?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Martyfish]

So what methods work best for you to remove patina with the intent to reset a new, brilliant patina? Does diamond film, diamond powder, stone powder, Alox/SiC or Diamond stones, Flitz, Simichrone, or Koyo all produce the same “prep base” to take on new patina? Does light grit make any difference (ie 600 vs 1500)? And what’s your favorite food/chem/acid to get those brilliant patinas we love?

Thanks for your input!

I personally remove patina using Flitz and would only recommend light abrasives and polishing products that can be applied with an applicator (not diamond film or stones that rely on flat bevels).

Stone powder, SiC powder and I imagine Koyo tend to produce a hazy finish on san mai knives with soft cladding (see the image below), so if you just want to remove the patina without visibility altering the finish, then you'd need to be a bit careful not to overdo it.

On monosteel knives, stone powder, SiC powder and I imagine Koyo typically leave a fine satin finish (see the video below), depending on the grit and applicatior that is used of course.

Flitz and Simichrome are so fine that they are good at removing patina, but you'd need to rub away for ages to visibly affect the surface finish of the steel.

I have never used it, but I imagine fine grit diamond powder or emulsions would be relatively aggressive and therefore quick to remove patina and also visibly alter the surface finish of the blade.

The grit rating of the abrasive (where applicable), the abrasive type and the applicator will determine how quickly the patina is removed, how quickly the surface is visibly altered and what the surface micro-structure looks like. The main functional influence this can have is on how food sticks to the blade - certain abrasives at certain grits can cause food to really suction on to the blade and make cutting a nightmare.

Dont over think it, use a light abrasive with some kind of applicator (a cotton make-up pad, a cork, paper towel, a finger, etc.) and you won't have issues. My go-to produce for setting a patina is a nice juicy steak or any cooked meat - hot protein tends to leave really vivid blues and sometimes purples (see the picture below).

 

[LucasFur]

Deepest blues I’ve had were tofu juice.

 

[1315]

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[KasumiJLA]

I can confirm that 5k diamond paste do the job perfectly well. In fact, this is what I use when I want to clean a honyaki blade after etching in FeCl3.


From heavy etched to mirror again!

I'm a vegetarian and I have no problem to have a nice and vibrant rainbow patina. Obviously it depends on the foods you're making but I've always managed to get a lot of blue in my patina.


A nice example of a 26c3 honyaki with an awesome rainbow!

 

[drsmp]

I second polishing with diamond paste. The better the polish the better the patina
Pork tenderloin, pineapple, mango
NO onions
run the blade under hot water before slicing hot proteins

 

[Simply]

I’m sold. Any specific diamond paste you’d recommend? I’m all synth stones

 

[drsmp]

I bought my diamond paste off eBay - a variety pack with different grits. It’s in an oily base so no risk of corrosion like water based polishes. I use hard felt pads to polish

 

[1315]

With hard felt, I've used those little round pads you stick on the bottom of a tray, lamp or chair leg. They stick on your fingertip/glove pretty well, and come in different diameters. Get white to gauge wear and swarf.

 

[KasumiJLA]

I tried other brands but now I only use TechDiamonTools. I had good comments about a Chinese/Taiwan brand but I forgot the name

 

[Simply]

Felt or makeup removal pads are great for polishes . Diamontools looks very straightforward, Ty.

 

[drsmp]

I use these
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2245979616...YuFzHd51paZfHciJDuDyMn1hu2|tkp:Bk9SR_i6x-r4Yg

 

[Tekkz]

I tried other brands but now I only use TechDiamonTools. I had good comments about a Chinese/Taiwan brand but I forgot the name

What concentration?

 

[konsuke]

I can confirm that 5k diamond paste do the job perfectly well. In fact, this is what I use when I want to clean a honyaki blade after etching in FeCl3.

View attachment 281838View attachment 281839
From heavy etched to mirror again!

I'm a vegetarian and I have no problem to have a nice and vibrant rainbow patina. Obviously it depends on the foods you're making but I've always managed to get a lot of blue in my patina.

View attachment 281840
A nice example of a 26c3 honyaki with an awesome rainbow!

What are you cutting to get that blue as a vegetarian? I only get red patinas. Or are you a professional cook, cutting the same stuff over and over again?

 

[KasumiJLA]

What are you cutting to get that blue as a vegetarian? I only get red patinas. Or are you a professional cook, cutting the same stuff over and over again?

Plenty of vegetables and I'm not a professional cook. Different steel will build different patina too. For example my Sheffcut honyaki only have a soft blue patina, compared to my 26c3.

 

[Slomcc]

Felt pad with a mixture of Jiff & Bar Keepers Friend.
Then polish up with diamond spray.
Juicy onions, pineapple or hot pork loin I find works best for me

 

[Uncle Danny]

My absolute go to, are roe buck meat.
Or onions and pickled cornichons

 

[Benuser]

Short contact with phosphoric acid helps turning common rust into patina. Will turn ugly brown into grey.

 

[Choppin]

I use Flitz for this but it's gentle and sometimes doesn't remove some watermarks / circles from previous patina.

I've used 5k or 8k Trizact as well (sponge backed sandpaper). It's more abrasive than Fltiz and doesn't leave visible scratches. More expensive also.