Bone cleaver rehab

[J david]

I received an old bone cleaver for Christmas and decided to spruce it up a bit. It had a terrible profile from years of bad sharpening and an ugly oversized handle. I wanted to make sure it was worth the effort so I chopped a 4×4 in half twice. It showed no damage and was still pretty sharp so I decided to give it a go. I thought you guys might be interested.



I ditched the handle, re-profiled the edge and ground it 90%.


Glass bead blast and refinishing.





Finished up the grind.




Now all it needs is sharpening and a new handle.

@bensbites, you interested in giving it some new shoes?

[Bensbites]

I love the photo tutorial, I am inspired to “try” and extended soak on a couple blades blades/steels to see what happens.

I am not setup to work this handle with my current tools. While I would love the challenge, I don’t want to go after this in manual mode.

[Jeff B]

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

[pd7077]

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

+1. Looks spectacular!

[MisoSatisfried]

Well done! It looks fantastic.

[J david]

Thanks for the complements.

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

Phosphoric acid and nickel nitrate at a boil. It is a parkerizing process. I've offered to refinish KU for people but nobody has taken me up on it. It's way more durable than what comes on most knives and almost impossible to tell the difference.

[Bensbites]

Thanks for the complements.

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

Phosphoric acid and nickel nitrate at a boil. It is a parkerizing process. I've offered to refinish KU for people but nobody has taken me up on it. It's way more durable than what comes on most knives and almost impossible to tell the difference.

As a former chemist/lab rat I know I can order that stuff from suppliers. Where did you get it?

[J david]

I get it direct from Coral Chemical Company under the label MANG PHOS 10. I think 10 gallons is the minimum order and it is not cheap.

[Bensbites]

I get it direct from Coral Chemical Company under the label MANG PHOS 10. I think 10 gallons is the minimum order and it is not cheap.

I have a friend who wanted to try his hand at yo to wa conversations. I have done them for personal use, but my metalwork is not that refined. When I get back the 52100 210 gyuto, I may give it a long acid soak to bring out the dark patina. I might try something with an AEB-L cleaver as well. I love the looks of my makoto and CCK. The KU/steel contrast adds something.

[Jeff B]

Thanks for the complements.

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

Phosphoric acid and nickel nitrate at a boil. It is a parkerizing process. I've offered to refinish KU for people but nobody has taken me up on it. It's way more durable than what comes on most knives and almost impossible to tell the difference.

Thanks and I'll remember you do that should I need your services!

[Chefspence]

Pure badass buddy!

[mauichef]

David.....that is brilliant!
And very inspirational. I have a cool coconut knife that would look rather good that way.
I can't remember where I saw it but I was recently made aware of the parkerize process.
I am pretty sure it was a post on the forum that sent me to a maker who uses does it to his knives.. Senior moment.

[Organic]

Thanks for the complements.

Excuse my ignorance but what did you soak that in to get that finish?

Phosphoric acid and nickel nitrate at a boil. It is a parkerizing process. I've offered to refinish KU for people but nobody has taken me up on it. It's way more durable than what comes on most knives and almost impossible to tell the difference.

Wow, I hope you've got a fume hood! I see you've got the proper type of gloves. Make sure you're using goggles and a face shield as well. Stay safe!

[Spipet]

Awesome work!!

[Kalaeb]

Nice, I love working on these old things. I will throw a handle on it if you want. Been awhile since I have done one and I enjoy working on older things. I may have some scales big enough. Shoot me a PM if you want.

[flomaster]

fantastic job. I can't want to see it with a handle on it

-=Jason=-

[J david]

Nice, I love working on these old things. I will throw a handle on it if you want. Been awhile since I have done one and I enjoy working on older things. I may have some scales big enough. Shoot me a PM if you want.

I think I will take you up on this offer, Matt. Thanks.