I need to refinish my esee 3. It was my EDC while lobstering for 10 years. After deer, squirrels, countless oysters, and miles of line I figured I should refinish it since I'm done living on the water.

It does have some pitting but it's not bad.

Thanks

Are you asking how to refinish it, or do you want to coat it or ?

I guess I fail to see exactly what you are asking for here.  

Ideas on putting a rugged finish on a knife.

If tried the boiling vinager once but that didn't last long.

I stick mine in a pineapple overnight.  

Is that a thing?

Are you still talking about refinishing a knife or....?

I'm not sure what's going on anymore

So the knife doesn't have the coating anymore? Got pictures? I would just clean it up with sand paper or steel wool if it needed it, then patina it. You can stick it in an onion, an apple, vinegar, mustard, anything acidic. The longer you leave it the darker it will come out.

The coating is long gone.
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I've done the vinigar bath and it didn't last.

Have it Cerakoted in whatever color you want. It will be beadblasted to remove the rust and the coating will fill in some of the pitting. Will also protect the tang once the scales are re-installed.

Or send it out for a regrind, which will thin the edge and remove most or all of the pitting on the blade. The blade will come back looking like new, and it should cut much better. This may be a costly option.

Lastly, try a home brew stone wash. Get some "river rocks" from the pet store or something, place the knife in a plastic bottle or jar with a secure lid. Add the rocks and some soapy water or WD40. Wrap in a towel and tape it up. Place in empty dryer and tumble for 30-60min. This will provide a decent stonewash finish and should remove most of the surface rust. Pitting will remain however.