parkerizing solution

[Fixit]

Im looking for some parkerizing solution (GVRD/mailorder) for my friends stag. were heading out camping and im setting up a "make your own knife station."
starting from old files, were going to anneal them, shape and sharpen them, heat treat, temper, add some wood grips, then parkerize the blades...

preferably manganeese solution, but id go for any others too

 

[dogzilla]

I don't think parkerising would last too long on a working blade,(as in about 5 minutes) it's not very durable on a anything that involves friction as in cutting thru something. for the manganese solution you need manganese, about $20/kg (available thru the pottery supply house, just google it.) They do mail order. Then you need some Phosphoric acid (available at any hydroponics supplier) I get mine at home grown hydroponics $10/16oz. Some laquer thinner for de greasing (don't use varsol) some steel wool. A stainless tank (a big pot should do for a knife) a propane stove and a meat thermometer $4 at Can tire. Heat the water to 185 degrees add 3oz acid and 3 oz manganese (I use a shot glass, close counts) per gallon of water (preferably distilled) add a bisquit of steel wool to get the iron content up. Let it cook for about 20 minutes before you add the knife, degrease the knife wearing gloves. You can't touch it with your hands or it will leave a spot. Suspend the part off the bottom of the tank and leave for about 20 minutes all the while maintaining the 185 degrees (hotter is better than cooler). Pull it out and dunk in hot water to stop the reaction. Spray with wd 40 wipe down and wipe again with gun oil or 10w-30. If you see some blemishes, I wipe the part down with de greaser and toss it back in for another 20 minutes. I generally leave it like that (coated with oil) for 24 hours before I use the part. It's actually easier than it sounds and it's certainly not black magic like some would have you believe. If you don't like the results, sandblast it and try again.