[TheForge] Finish for a fork

[Dave Brown]

At 10:27 01/06/03 -0700, you wrote:
>Hey guys, I dont normally post here, just enjoy reading about everything 
>else but Im almost finished with my FIRST project as a beginner 
>blacksmith. Im making an eating fork (Pictures can be found at 
>http://www.thethorin2.0catch.com/currentworks.htm) and I am not sure what 
>finish to put on it.  It is made out of 1/2" mild steel and it has a near 
>polished finish already on it.  Some guys on anvilfire.com told me to do 
>something like bake it in the oven while coated in vegi-oil or 
>something.  I doubt I will actually use it a lot but dont want it to rust 
>to pieces either (this has taken me a whole week to make believe it or 
>not).  Whats recomended for something like this?

You've got good advise already.  Vegetable oil (apply then wipe almost 
clean) will polymerize when heated and exposed to the oxygen in the air and 
kept hot for a while.  Set your oven for around 400 or so, leave it for 
half an hour or so.  Should do just fine and will leave a surface that is 
save for eating with.

Dave Brown
Heritage Smithing
Green Bay, WI
ABANA, UMBA, GoM, MODA, ARG