I recently blued a set of barrels with Marklee #1 solution. Seemed to work as well as Pilkingtons, but maybe a milder solution. THe barrels came out nice. I'd just say that the mfr recommended 5 minute boils was not long enough. I'd recommend at least 10 and I used 15 minutes. 5 minute boils were leaving a redish cast. If you get redish cast with any rust blue process, boil longer. I rust blue so seldom, when I do it, I've forgotten most of what I learned prior. Marklee #1 $15 at Brownells for the small bottle. $12.50/4 oz $28.50/pint direct from maker. It worked well enough I'd use it again. Contains no mercury or selenium.
My experience suggests the outcome is more about the process you use than the rust solution. Granted some solutions will require an adjustment to your process.
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