Acid etch question…

[jarhead jim]

Hey all, just tried ferric chloride and vinegar 50/50 on my 3rd set of knives. Had the enchant 2 months now. It didn’t do squat. Using 1084 and 15n20 like before but my blade is just silver. You can see the pattern if you look close but it doesn’t jump out like my other knives. I’m wondering if the steel I got was both 15n20?

 

[Wowbagger]

We are probably talking at cross purposes : You want to color / texture your blade and this author cuts design images into his knives (actually his partner (?Wife?) does that work .
but
This book has tons of great info on etching / acids as this relates to knives :

Step-By-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It!​

by David Boye

PS : worth buying his book just to drool over their work ! ! !
SPECTACULAR ! ! !

 

[jarhead jim]

I’m well versed in the etching department. Trying to figure out why this batch of knives won’t etch. Did the same exact heat treatment process as before. The only thing I can come up with is one vendor sent me the wrong steel.

 

[Wowbagger]

I’m well versed in the etching department. Trying to figure out why this batch of knives won’t etch. Did the same exact heat treatment process as before. The only thing I can come up with is one vendor sent me the wrong steel.

?try spark test ? to see if they are the same pattern density of sparks.