Microtech's Blueing Process

DYK: Microtech’s deep blues aren’t painted on—they’re transformed at the molecular level.

Each Damascus blade is suspended, immersed in a precisely heated salt bath, and transformed as oxide layers bloom across the steel. The result? A corrosion-resistant finish that shifts from bronze to purple to vivid blue, unveiling the Damascus pattern in striking detail.

1. Preparation & Suspension – The blades (in this case, Damascus) are cleaned, prepped, and suspended on wire hooks to avoid contact marks.
2. Heated Bluing Bath – A steel tank is heated with a burner beneath it, bringing the bluing solution (likely a nitrate-based mix) to a precise temperature, monitored with a thermometer.
3. Immersion – The blades are lowered into the hot bath, where the surface reacts chemically, forming an oxide layer that changes color.
4. Color Development – Duration and temperature control determine the depth of the oxide layer, shifting the colors from bronze and copper hues toward deep blues and purples.
5. Rinse & Dry – After removal, blades drip excess solution before rinsing and final drying, revealing the finished iridescent blue finish with visible Damascus patterning.

It’s a controlled heat-and-chemistry process that enhances both corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.