Greetings fellow blacksmiths, I am having troubles finding a metal finish that works well for what I’m making.
The products I’m making are handles and knobs, given the nature of the items, they will be used often and need to have a durable coating to prevent wear.
I have been using BLO method, but due to the high volume of orders I am looking for a more efficient method.
I have tried ebony black wax, black wood stain + lacquer, and chemical bluing; but none of the following produce a dark enough finish with sufficient protection.
So my question is; is there a finish you know of that:
*Is efficiently applied (preferably a cold dip solution)
*Darkens the metal to a black colour
*Is tough enough to protect against constant use