acid dipping knife blades

[PURPLEDC]

ive heard different types of acid will etch metal and change its color depending on its properties. Now do you have to bead blast the blade first or does the acid achieve this effect for you. Im trying to go with a matte finish on some aus-8

 

[richard j]

you can put a mustard and vinegar patina on your knife. if you want to see what a knife looks like done this way i posted picks. its easy to do but it just takes some time. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547655

 

[samhain73]

Mustard and vinegar wont work on AUS8. I dont think the acid will do anything to stainless.

 

[richard j]

i forgot aus-8 was stainless, that happens with old age i guess.

 

[knarfeng]

I don't recommend this. Acid can indeed etch a stainless blade. But etching a stainless steel such as AUS8 takes a pretty strong acid. And it will show the most effect where the metal is thinnest. At the edge. It'll chew the heck out of that. Bad juju.

If you want a matte finish, I would go after it with fine sandpaper. Develop your technique on a cheap knife first.