Acid - Etch BK16

I don't have a smaller hand...

I spent about 20 minutes shaping the handle with various belts on the WSKTS, and another 15 finishing up with papers, scotch-brites, and polish.
Want to post some pics showing the bevel creates no fit issues whatsoever, but PhotoBucket is being a $#!*Bucket again.
So maybe you'll get to see tomorrow.

This little bugger is becoming my favorite Becker.
 
Fantastic, glad to hear that you aren't experiencing Amy issues from it.
I am looking forward to the pics.
 
You've gotta see it now!

AFTER getting the scales & liners on there just fine, I went for my walk (2.5 miles with a 20lb pack) and did my taxes (everything but the medical expenses - wife went to sleep, and it's her area of expertise) I started over on the tang, 80 grit on up to 800, followed by gray then white scoth-brite, and Flitz buffed out with P3000 tri-zact. Transition should be smooth as silk now.

If only PhotoBusted could get their act together...
 
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Did you glue your scales on?
If so, did you leave the tang with the high polish, or did you scuff it up some?
What adhesive did you use?

I know PB can be a pain, but patience.
 
Not gluing the scales on. Especially not yet! Still need to etch and tumble...
But, no, I got the TKC G10 scales, so I'm gonna stick with screws for the time being. Though not strictly stock, I really like their fasteners setup.

When I have glued scales on, I roughed up with 80 or 150 grit (whatever I had on hand) and glued with the epoxy I had on hand - either Bondo or Tap Plastics. Both worked, but were pinned as well.

I've epoxied scales to liners to great effect, like 5 times. Combos of G10, micarta and wood. Roughed up both sides, and clamped overnight.

A couple of my favorite makers epoxy scales to tangs, but CA glue scales to liners.
Twice I roughed up and CA glued G10 liners - once to "Shadetree Composites" micarta, once to G10. One was Gorilla, the other Superglue Professional. Don't recall which was which. In both cases, one of the liners separated. Boths sets are screwed down, not bonded to tang, so not a big deal. But in future when I need an actual bond I'll use epoxy. I'd buy West Systems if I was doing a bunch. Since I do small batches once in a while, and it's local to me, I'll likely stick with TAP.
The Bondo stuff is kinda yellow and contains wax so requires more prep if multiple layers are required.

Really wish I could post my pictures today... Maybe tonight.
 
Pics are finally up!

This was before I re-flattened the tang. I have also gone back over the liners at the "beak" and 2 protrusions at the back to smooth 'em over and make 'em flush.
Scales fit up:









 
And here's the tang flattened and re-polished to get rid of the little bevel:







As long as I can find some rubber gloves and time, I think I'll be etching it Saturday.
 
Nice work.

Do you have an idea as to what you are going to be etching?
I have seen some videos on YouTube about it and using nail polish as a resist. There was a nice pattern achieved that looked like rainbow trout spots (distribution not coloration).

Great job, I am looking forward to the updates.
 
No design. Just going to nail-polish-resist the edge.
Actually, the etching is an intermediate step on the way to stonewashing (refer to Post #3,) except I won't be using stones.



They've already been washed in soap and water, soaked in acetone, and thoroughly dried. Mostly Remington 38spl - a small percentage are .357mag.
My kids haven't been drinking much gatorade, so I may need to get creative on the tumbler.

Ah, what the heck. Here's the link to the instructable:
https://www.instructables.com/id/AcidBrassStone-Washing-A-Knife/

Not following it 100%, but staying pretty close. Easier on a fixed-blade than folder, but may come out a little different on carbon steel.
 
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Nothing like spending an outrageous amount of sweat, time, elbow grease and treasure turning a hundred dollar knife into a....ah, $100 knife (MSRP ;))....
Not that I'm criticizing. I've spent plenty of time myself doing plenty of the same. That 16 is looking pretty sweet, TJ. I'm sure you'll be more than proud to carry it. Not to throw a wrench into your machinery, but have you considered thinning the edge/convexing it? Hands down the sharpest Beckers I own have had their edges thinned and convexed. Never thought 1095CV could be so damn sharp. Not to photobomb your thread, but....this was polished (the best I could; there are plenty of flaws - not that I care all that much) to 2000 W/D (IIRC) with an aluminum sanding block, then Flitzed - which was (perhaps) a stupid amount of time to invest....

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IMO, you are making that 16 YOURS. I'm confident I won't ever sell that 7, as it's worth WAY more to me than money. As I'm sure your 16 will end up being for you. It already looks fine, and I'm anticipating seeing the end result of your Herculean efforts. As much as I really love the end result of these things, for me, the best part is being invested in the process, watching your imagination made into reality (even if they don't align the way you thought they would).

As for pics, I have one suggestion: Flickr. 1TB of storage and I've NEVER (knock wood) had issues with photos not posting and such. For the low, low price of free (which, TBT, is worth exactly what you pay for it ;)) it's been working for me for about 5 years now.

For the container to acid wash/tumble it, I've seen standard 3" PVC plumbing pipe used to excellent effect - prolly could put something (reusable, even) together for less than $15 (assuming you have some PVC glue).
 
Thanks Mike.
I don't think I'd carry such a beast, but I do dig your take on the combat 7.

I spent another hour re working the blade just like the tang. Still not mirror, but more even and I'm happy with it. Currently in the acetone bath getting ready for resist.

It's probably thinned out a hair from all the sanding! But all my blades (except Asian chef's knives) get convexed on the worksharp. This will be no exception. Just not going to sharpen it before sending it into an acid bath and tumbler, just to see all the hard work go to waste.

I'm still working my kids' school musical production, then preparing for a business trip. So I'm not confident I'll finish it this weekend, but I'm gonna try.

Trying not to spend money on the tumbler, but will if that becomes my only option. Plenty of PVC and ABS glue in the garage, but not much pipe and no caps hanging around.
 
Asked the wife for nail polish to use as resist. She looked at me all crazy and brought clear and translucent. Like she expected Me to try wearing it or something...

Anyway, here she is, all cleaned up and ready for the chemical treatment. Closed up the box to keep the nasties out until I'm ready to go.

 
If possible, and not in the bath yet, wipe the blade down with rubbing alcohol prior to acid etching.
Acetone can leave an oily residue, and the alcohol will remove that.
Though the acid shouldn't be affected by the small amount of residue on the blade, I just want to see you have all opportunities to get a clean etch.

Coming along nicely.
 
News to me. I thought that was the point of the acetone.
But I'll do that.
Denatured alcohol is an amazingly handy cleaner.
 
Managed to get it etched.

Sat about 12 minutes in the acid bath. Put in hot water for a minute. Rubbed down with gray scotch-brite. Back in the acid for 6 more, into the water, then rubbed down with water/baking soda paste using a white scotch-brite. Then rinsed the heck out of it.
Last update for at least a week.

 
Thank you.
Sure was a bit of work getting it here.
Looking forward to seeing how tumbling evens out the finish.
 
Home safe and sound, and back to work on this one.
Cleaned it up with mineral spirits, acetone and denatured alcohol.
Rubbed down with~1000 grit white scotchbrite.
Taped off the edge.




Also got some 3" ABS to hold it all.
A little big for the dryer, so it's STILL a work in progress.

 
All those cases filled the tube to just about 50%.
Sprayed a ton of WD-40 in there.
Now I just need to shake it up for 15 more minutes.
Going in 5 minute intervals so I can get other stuff done, and my arms don't fall off.
 
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