[TheForge] Black oxide finish

[Steve Smith]

Andy Vida wrote:

> 	Heat's pretty much it, just less of it.  Pickle, if you must,
> 	then neutralize.  Hit the work with a torch, or toss it into
> 	the forge just until it turns black.  You will be at perhaps
> 	800*F. Remove, let cool to about 400* and take a rag that is
> 	well dampened but no soaked with linseed oil.  Apply a thin
> 	coat of the oil to the work.  It will smoke, which is a good
> 	thing as the oil will polymerize in the heat.  Don't let the
> 	work be too hot or it won't come out as well.  Don't soak it
> 	too much or it will not fully polymerize, leaving it either
> 	wet or tacky when cold.

If you read between the lines, what you should do is practice on a 
similar sized lump of steel. If you should get a coating on your 
doorknocker that you don't like, heat it up to 800-1000F (i.e. don't get 
it hot enough to be even dull red) and the finish you just put on will 
be all burned off, you can start again. I speak from experience...

Steve Smith