Hey all. Can tree sap almost instantly tarnish a blade? I stuck my M9 into a tree a good inch or so (happened to hit right between two pieces of bark). When I pulled it out it had this purplish black tree blood on it. When I rinsed the blade a couple of minutes later it had turned a permanent black in a few spots. Weird. Anyone know anything about this? I don't care that the tip is discolored (it's only gonna get worse from here) but I was just kind of curious.

Oak will do it. Some other trees, too. Try using a pencil eraser and rub it in the same direction as the grind lines. Be careful, it's sharp!

Sounds like something I would do.....Good luck getting it off.

someone over on BF mentioned using a Mr Clean pad to clean their blades so this past weekend I had a sap issue with my SAR LE, the pad took it right off without scuffing the blade. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the suggestions guys. It's strange though, because it's not that there is any sap left on the blade and it was not sticky at all. I guess there is some component in the sap that causes an almost immediate chemical reaction? If one were wanting to get an almost immediate patina on a blade, this seems like it may be a good way to go about it (presuming you would be able to coat the enire blade). Does anybody else know what I'm talking about, or why this happens? It was an oak tree by the way.

Oak will turn a blade purple almost instantly. It must have some tannins or acid in the sap. You should see all the funky colors my machete blades get by the end of the Summer.

Oh, thanks horn dog. I've never had that happen before. It would be interesting to see what kid of effects you could get with an entire blade coated with sap.

Interesting... as a kid green english walnuts would stain my hands when I would break them apart... not that I'm edward scissor hands, but I wonder if it's a similar chemical that tarnishes the blade?

Coffee , teas , nuts , and blood can cause discoloration....you can also BLUE a carbon blade. A friend uses acid to etch damascus like patterns on stainless and carbon blades.

i heard from VANCE you can use tobasco! i think he did it on some moras

speaking of patinas, hey mcjhrobinson i dug that picture when you were in Zion Natl park. How did you like southern utah? I grew up in St. George Utah a little SW of Zion and we have a cabin on @ 700+ acres on the top of kanara mt. which looks down through Kolob fingers which is NW Zion park. I dare say it doesnt compete with the lush vegetation of Hawaii, (lived in my tent on N Shore Oahu for a summer) it is still majestic.

ghost i loved it! i even bought a shirt that says "UTAH ROCKS" and his little pics of all the 5 parks. i know where st george is we drove through it and had some food there.

hawaii and south utah are both VERY beautiful in their own way.

im not sure if i said it but if i didnt, welcome to the yard! you should come join us on the Death chat! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />