Acid Stonewash?

S

SCWillson

Joined
Aug 2, 2013
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I was browsing on a knifemaker's website and noticed he has a finish he called "acid stonewash." I understand what stonewashing is and what acid etching is, but what exactly would acid stonewashing entail? Is the knife tumbled in rocks and acid together?

:confused:
 
Acid stonewashing refers to two separate processes. It starts with soaking the knife in ferric chloride (etching solution) to get a dark etched coating/patina on the blade. From there it is cleaned and dried. The next step is a stonewash, which provides a high contrast between the dark acid etch & fresh scratches from the stonewashing...like this:

8432088844_e2e96e0a23_c.jpg


Here is one with a splatter pattern in addition to the acid/stonewash:

9287212868_2999ef8f1e_c.jpg
 
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Thanks for the clear explanation Rival1314. :)

Here's the result of my DIY acid stonewash...

3767c9c1d6d302c39abdd68a57b1dd75_zps6448b1a5.jpg
 
Rival, your stuff always looks great! If the ZT acid/stonewash tread ever gets started you should definitely submit some pics!
 
Is this something that can be done easily at home? Not so much the stonewashing, just the acid dipping. I really like the look of the darker blade.
 
jjoanty01 said:
Is this something that can be done easily at home? Not so much the stonewashing, just the acid dipping. I really like the look of the darker blade.
Click to expand...

It's pretty easy, really. Ferric chloride is available from Radio Shack (PCP Etchant). Dilute the PCP Etchant 50/50 with water, remove knife blade, use nail polish to mask of the parts that you don't want etched (lock face, detent ball path, pivot area, etc.), soak blade until desired darkness is achieved, rinse thoroughly, remove nail polish, reassemble knife and resharpen. I did my Kershaw Rake just long enough to darken the D-2 a bit more; came out really nice! Good luck with your project!
 
Thanks! Question though... does it matter what type of container I use? :confused: I don't want to be like Jesse on Breaking Bad and end up with a mess all over the floor :p
 
Use a glass cup or wide mouth jar. I don't dilute it, I use it straight from the bottle (Radio Shack PCP Etchant). Check every 5 minutes for color change. Don't touch the etchant, it'll stain your skin... Don't rinse it everytime you check it...
 
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