Sure you CAN. But the problem then lies in the fact that the straw color (or blue as you go hotter or longer) will easily come right off of the blade during use. It won't stay looking like that.
You're right, in order to get a nice even color, make sure it's de-greased thoroughly prior to the "temper". I recommend that if you want a light straw color, that your REAL tempers done previously be at a higher temp than what you want as a straw color. It would be OK to be at the SAME temp, but not above that, of course, or you're HRC will be lower than what you had planned.
But, again, with all that said, the oxide layer will just get rubbed off later.
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