Heat coloring steel??

[Dacks]

This is a bit Off Topic, but it is vaguely related to knife making.

I have a woodworker friend who is designing a small chest of drawers to include curved steel legs made from rod stock. He wants to "color" the steel using heat.... deep blue is what he's after.

Is this possible?
What type of steel? (he wants stainless)
Is there a handy tutorial around that I haven't found yet? If not, any tips?
Any photos of knives with this treatment?

Thanks for the help.

 

[joe levy]

I don't know about stainless but carbon steel will get a good blue if heated to 600 degrees and quenched in oil. The better the polish the better it will turn out.

 

[Jerry Bond]

I got a very deep blue on a blade from tempering it one hr. @ 450.
It was a solid color all over and very beautiful.
Jerry

BTW it was hand sanded to 1500 before the final temper

 

[oconeedan]

Maybe he can try using a mapp gas torch on it, slowly heat it until color starts in, then remove the heat. The colors change fast, and if you go too far, it is ugly gray.
No big deal, buff off color and start again.
Dan