cochran540

thanks, I will definitely try the wax. I read about the motor oil finish in Charles McRaven's book but that hasn't worked out very well for me yet.

I have heard one of the best ways to finish your work is to dip it in used motor oil while at black heat, and then buff it in. I have also read that you can rub in a couple coats of beeswax at about the same temperature. What do you all do for a simple black patina type finish. thanks a lot.

i have a large amount of black steel pipe which was pulled out of a basement from old boiler lines. i am wondering if this is any good for blacksmithing projects, i am guessing it is some form of mild steel? I also have a big pile of old lawnmower blades I saved from a junk pile. Just wondering if anyone knows specific types of steel usually used on these items and what types of projects, if any, they might work for. thanks