I just posted this older Trout-N-Bird to my website but thought ya'll might like seeing my latest pickling chore!
This #8-4" was traded to me by a good customer who likes bigger knives. It was unused and never been re-sharpened but had a couple of "stains" (not black carbon spots) on the blade.
I pickled the blade...twice...coating the blade after the second "dunkin'" with the Randall shop knife oil. It came out awesome, I think!
This knife is 1980's vintage and features one of the old Johnson "pouch-styled" sheaths! Still...to me...it would make somebody a great EDC/USER...so I pickled it to prevent rust, etc...
Hope you like it!
Happy New Year, Capt. Chris

When I was a fishing guide in the Yellowstone area the summer of 1975, I used my #8 every day for 3 straight months. It is still my go to Randall when I go trout or pan fishing. The only thing I would add is a wrist thong. I could drop the knife, gut the fish and not have to put down the knife, plus the thong makes it easier to extract it from the pouch sheath. Nice pickle job too!!

Pap

I’m considering taking the plunge. Any prep or techniques? Any solutions other than pickling juice?

Make sure you wash the Ren wax off with soapy water. Fill the pickle juice jar until it gets to the hilt. Leave it in overnight or longer. After it is pickled, wash, dry, resharpen, good to go.

Pap

IMO,scrap the pickle juice. It has lots of impurities that will leave spots on the blade. Just plain vinegar will work fine but do exactly what Pap said. Every trace of oil has to be stripped down.
This one came out pretty even. I had earlier experience with blotch spots on other blades. I would bet warming up the vinegar would speed up the process but I haven't tried it. It may lead to a better result. You don't have to agree but results speak for themselves.
I'll add rubbing it into the blade helps even it out. Just my experience and
02c.

I had thought to read up on ph of pickle juice, it’s 5.1-ish. Vinegar is more acidic and a standard solution for possibly more consistent results. Coffee is another acidic close to pickle juice. Am still on the fence.

Blood from your next roast. Oh yeah it will darken your blade.