Advice needed 2.0

[MBurks]

I got my little san mai blade sanded and etched, then polished with Flitz, it looked much better before the Flitz.

Is there someway I can etch it and leave it that way? Will the black stay on the blade?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The black is just a surface oxide, so any amount of sanding or buffing will remove it. However, a good etch will put it on deep enough to last through some finishing steps.

Sand the blade to the final grit and clean immaculately. Wash with alcohol and etch. Rinse well and neutralize with TSP or Windex. Wipe the blade off with a soft cloth to remove the excess black from the surface, then GENTLY, clean up the etch with 3M polishing paper ( I use the pink or mint color, which is 2000 or 4000 grit) or 4-0 steel wool. Once you get what you want, oil the blade well and wipe off excess oil.

 

[MBurks]

I will give it a try, thanks.