Acid treatment for Damascus.

[King Gimpicus]

A few years back, i bought one of Ariel's (Of AES knives) Mokume guitar pick pendants. It has two types of steel in it, and some copper, all layered beautifully. However, a couple months ago, i handed it to a friend of mine for safe keeping, and he put it in his pocket and went for a run. little did he know that the moisture from his sweat badly rusted one side of the pick.

So far, i've already used fine grit sand paper to get all of the rust off, and now i just need to know how to acid treat it to distinguish the different steels. Originally, the first steel was a darker grey than the other, though after filing, they are the same lighter grey as the second steel. I'd like to get both side to show the contrast between the steels.

Thanks,
Ian


Side 1 (unaltered)

Side 2 (after taking the rust off with sand paper)

 

[C.S. Graves]

Ahh, Mr. Salaverria has some lovely damascus pieces... not lucky enough to own any just now though.

Anyway, I wonder if the recipe listed here on his site might be of use?

http://www.aescustomknives.com/docs/tutorial3.htm

 

[King Gimpicus]

Read through it, and that particular process is for copper damascus, not mokume. Skimmed over the mokume section, and i cant anything about an acid treatment...

Also, i'm trying to find something a bit less hazardous. Sulphuric acid can be pretty wicked stuff, not to mention tremendously difficult to get a hold of in any useful concentrations.

Perhaps one of you knife guru's know a quick fix?

 

[changeofseasons]

I'd give the guys at Caswell a call.

 

[hardheart]

ferric chloride from radio shack. they sell it to etch copper traces on circuit boards, and some knifemakers use it to etch pattern welded damascus steel or differentially hardened blades (help develop hamon). should work ok to etch steel/copper.

 

[gga357]

ferric chloride from radio shack. They sell it to etch copper traces on circuit boards, and some knifemakers use it to etch pattern welded damascus steel or differentially hardened blades (help develop hamon). Should work ok to etch steel/copper.

+1....

 

[rwiggins]

ferric chloride - from radio shack, fry's electronics, etc. Use a ratio of 3 parts FeCl3 to 4 parts H2O (always remember to add acid to water). Etch for a minute or two, check and continue until you are finished. Rinse under running water and then clean. You can use ultrafine sandpaper backed with a piece of leather to bring out highlights if you want. When you have it like you desire, protect with briwax or similar. Enjoy!