Acid Etching?

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3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
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I have heard that some people use an acid of some sort to make knife blades look like damascus. Does any one know what kind of acid to use, where to get it, how to do it, and if it works on all kinds of steel? It seems like a great way to spice up some old knives or make newer ones more interesting.
Thanks.
 
I HIGHLY doubt that you can take just any old steel and etch it to make it look like damascus. To get anything other than uniform gray, you have to have non-uniform steel. Certain "unclean" steels, even when unmixed, will have specks and spots and generally not be flat gray.

That being said, A) that's pretty unlikely, especially with modern steels, and B) even if it's not flat gray, still doesn't look like damascus.

That being said, good luck! (and try the Maker's Forum, they might have some ideas)
 
this may be in your interests:
http://steampunkworkshop.com/ipod.shtml

all I could find on DIY acid-etching in my searches a few months ago.
I will probably try this in the summer (once I find the correct voltage power supply)
Seems if it's doable on an ipod, a knife should stand up to it.
 
PCB etchant solution at radio shack.It will bring out the pattern in Damascus blades.It's used on circuit boards is why R.S. has it.
 
It is called ferric acid, and is often used to bring out a hamon or temper line. Some makers etch designs on their blades with it.
 
It's actually ferric chloride.
You do not have to use electricity to acid-etch blades.
 
Where can I buy ferric chloride? So if I put it on a portion of a blade, it will turn darker, sorta like a strong patina? Does it work on all steels? Specifically saks? My newest craze is modding saks. :rolleyes:
 
Radio Shack has ferric chloride etchant. Never tried it on stainless.....
 
you can get a good deal on ferric hear

http://www.graphicchemical.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=43&cat=Acids+&+Mordants

as far as etching to make look like damascus ive heard of maybe putting fingernail polish on with a light strokes on th blade and then etching or also some do a method that they use cold blue then cover in clorox (dangerous fumes) but none compare to the real thing. so your better of to just get to pounding and make some it's easy enough and look of any immitation wont be able to compare.
 
use ferric chloride and put nail polish on the blade where you dont want to etch and you will get a pattern to show with a single metal type, then force a light patina and you will get a patttern close ish to damascus
 
Archer Etchant from Radio Shack(ferric chloride)is what Ed Fowler uses on his forged 52100 blades to verify his differential heat treat is correct.
 
Years ago I was experimenting with 440 C, forging and multiple quench. It etched beautifully using ferric chloride revealing both transition zones and grain flow.
 
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