Darkening the steel on a digging tool.

[Goldstrike]

Does anyone have any ideas on darkening the blade on my digger? When I take this out in a park, especially when kids/parents are around (and I always am discreet when I do) I always wonder what they think of me with this 11 1/2 inch 'dagger' in my hand!!!! You all know the kids follow you around like you were the Pied Piper of Hamlin !!!!! I cannot 'blue' it or heat treat it because the handle will melt ( it's molded onto the blade)and I cannot think of a paint that would stay on the blade because of continual abrasion.
The only thing I can think of is really roughing/scoring up the blade to create grooves that will hold some kind of 'paint' but will save that as a last resort.
Thanks in advance for your ideas.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Lots of chemicals will do the job. Here is a link for many of them and homebrews.


http://www.shipmodelsocietyofnewjersey.org/resources/Downloads_page/MetalBlackeningnew.pdf


Click on blackening products. I have used Blacken-It to blacken model metal parts and it works good. I don't see why it would not work for a digger too.

 

[Goldstrike]

Awesome! thanks Larry....the info; is very much appreciated!

 

[Mega]

I use the exact same tool over here in the UK,as i mainly detect on farm land and we are basically not allowed on public council land due to 'health and safety' concerns,we dont tend to have any worries about them being classed as possible lethal weapons.

I would think using chemicals to alter the colour of the blade is your only option.

 

[vlad]

n/t

 

[sunshinegirl]

How about a little gun blue. It will darken it unless it is stainless steel.. Walmart

 

[mudpuppy]

Well, lets think about this a little...

Even if you used a chemical blackening agent on the blade, it will still look pretty wicked...why not just get yourself a can of spray paint PINK!
Nobodys afraid of anything painted pink! Sure it will wear off from digging, but just hit it with a shot every now and then and have a Merry Christmas?:...Seriously, paint the whole damn thing PINK!!! While you are at it, paint your kneepads and tool pouch and even your detector PINK! That would work and address your concerns no?...just trying to help... You gotta admit, its a hell of a good idea!.
Mud

 

[skookum]

Hi,
There are methodes to anodize stainless steel
http://www.finishing.com/245/20.shtml
http://infohost.nmt.edu/~burleigh/JECS_2007.pdf
The anodizing will not last forever though, it

 

[nge]

replace the plastic handle with homemade wooden grips then you can heat the metal to any degree of hotness you want......nge

 

[Skillet]

The real stuff for drain cleaning. I find it in mom and pop hardware stores (use it to make my own lye soap)

Place your digger blade down into a non-metallic container and add enough lye to just cover the blade. Should blacken nicely

 

[rferrari]

Just paint it and use a sheath. Farm implement paint is best cause it's oil based. Peace

 

[Dan-Pa.]

Parks I hunt in are loaded with shallow clad at best....screwdriver and coin popper works with practice....once in a while a deeper one can be taken out with a folding knife and they make some big ones... Certainly not an answer to your question but an alternative...

 

[woody]

Find a gunsmith or gun shop. There are different types of gun finishes, different colors and some are VERY hard. A lot of them you could do. Some require baking and some don't.