Forced Patina or Not

[Puddock]

With the recent thread on forcing a patina on a blade with vinegar. I was wondering how many people actually forced a patina, rather than letting one naturally develop? To force or not to force that is the question?

 

[Samon]

I force them. why?

Because I don't bother cleaning, oiling or waxing my knives like some folk, I just can't be bothered. But I still use them and nearly all are carbon steel so if I force a deep patina early on I can just wipe the knife down on my jeans and shuv it back in it's sheath without caring all too much about it rusting or whatever. I left a mora of mine that had no patina in it's sheath after cutting green wood and about a week later orange nasy rust formed on it. I sanded it all off and forced a black patina on it, now when I use one and don't clean it it's no way near as bad and that suits me fine!

 

[Niels]

I don't force them, simply because it's less work for me. With a full carbon steel blade, if I carve a spoon out of one of those really green, whet white willow branches, I have a patina on the blade after just a day. Only on the bevels the blade has a mirror polish, it's no use if I try to keep the knife shiny, I just never feel like cleaning the knife and putting oil on it.

 

[salad]

If you use it lots then it will get a patina anyway or just use a stainless blade then you dont need to think about it at all

I am starting to lean towards stainless steel now days, cos its just easier .

 

[MightyBush]

I force a patina, usually by mustard, vineger or general use - depends on the effect I want (although I do not do this merely for aesthetics)

 

[Corso]

I force the cheaper ones like my opinels - just sit them in a glass of coke for a bit

I let my more expensive knives gain their patina through use...