[TheForge] oil/wax finish, blackened steel

[Andrew Vida]

Mike Spencer wrote:

> OxphoBlue is a cold blue.  Used to contain Selenic acid.  I think
> they've changed the composition and *still* they won't ship to Canada
> because because of the hazmat paperwork.  Luckily, I found a local
> gunsmith who makes an annual trip to the US and he kindly fetched me
> home 3 pints, which should last me more or less forever.

There is a fairly well known jeweler's supply in Vancouver WA (damn if I 
can recall the name at the moment...) and they had a nickel black they 
used to get from some old beezer locally.  It turned iron a gorgeous 
dark purplish-black.  Old Harry died and apparently the formula went to 
the grave with him.  I was very bummed because I'd run out and went over 
the get another bottle.  No go. :(  The guys at the shop told me it had 
tellurium in it, but I suspect it may have been selenium.