AEB-L Acid Etch Tips?

C

clivehamilton77

Joined
Aug 16, 2012
Messages
104
Hey Guys,

I’ve tried searching with not that much luck. I know some people disagree with etching stainless but customer wants their AEB-L blade acid etched. I use a 4:1 distilled water FeCl solution. I’m not getting a deep dark etch like I want as in my carbon blades (not surprisingly). It keeps just wiping off.

Anyone have a method or times or any tips on acid etching Aldo’s AEB-L steel?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

4Brothers Knives.
 
Etch longer. It just takes much longer than carbon steels.
 
It takes awhile like 45 min to an hour in ferric. Also it needs to be heat treated. I tried a test piece that was not hardened because I wanted to try a different finish and it barely darkened at all.
 
Personally, I had to heat the acid to get it to do any significant etch to AEB-L. I left a hardened blade in the acid for hours, and it came out looking brighter than when it went in.

Heat it up to "coffee hot" and it'll cut fast, and you can get the AEB-L very black, although it's more "parkerized" than "blued".
 
Javand, Justin I really appreciate the tips.

Javand, I’m assuming you can heat the acid up just as you would heating up quench oil but no so aggressively. As you said “coffee hot.”
 
clivehamilton77 said:
Javand, Justin I really appreciate the tips.

Javand, I’m assuming you can heat the acid up just as you would heating up quench oil but no so aggressively. As you said “coffee hot.”
Click to expand...

Yeah, just, use a hot plate, torch on a metal container, microwave, double boiler/hot water pot, whatever. I can't give you numbers unfortunately, I just heat it until it starts showing me a little steam. Maybe someone else can tell you the temps they like, but I haven't had to do it enough to have hard data other than, it works. Check @WilmontGrinders on IG for some photos of a knife I made him a while back with black AEB-L if you want photo proof. I wiped my computer recently and all my photos are on another drive unfortunately. 12th photo maybe on Chris' feed (April 24th photo), and bear in mind, that's one he's been carrying for a year or more.
 
1DF9DEA8-E9E7-4CDF-B7E0-0794311A6889.jpeg Well I heated up my FeCl and etched this AEB-L for 45 minutes. Then I Neutralized it with denatured alcohol and baking soda. I then stone washed it for 30 minutes. However I thought I washed it pretty good but I’m still getting some black “stuff” wiping off. Any worries on this kitchen knife not being food safe?
(Don’t mind that large hole...that’s for epoxy to fill under the handle)
 
If it is a kitchen knife the etching is a waste of time. It will rub/wipe off with use and cleaning leaving a mottled blade.

clivehamilton77 said:
(Don’t mind that large hole...that’s for epoxy to fill under the handle)
Click to expand...
You are very wrong here. That hole is a lot to worry about. It is at the spot the blade is most likely to break at in use. I would never sell a knife with that type flaw in it.
 
Thanks for the response Stacy. I appreciate the insight. As far as the hole, I figured for slicing I didn’t think it much for a fracture point but I guess for chopping you’re right yes it is a weak point. But just to be clear This blade is not the one that is for sale. I wanted to test the etch and stone wash on a heat treated piece of the same type of blade that I messed up previously. As you can see at the front of the blade there is this divot or something I just couldn’t or wouldn’t get out. (That’s another flaw). But among the other flaws that would prevent me from selling this one. Should have pointed out this is a test piece.

So it is looking more and more that etching is out the question and waste of time.
 
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clivehamilton77 said:
Thanks for the response Stacy. I appreciate the insight and tips. As far as the hole, I figured for slicing I didn’t think it much for a fracture point but I guess for chopping you’re right yes it is a weak point. But just to be clear This blade is not the one that is for sale. I wanted to test the etch and stone wash on a heat treated piece of the same type of blade that I messed up previously. As you can see at the front of the blade there is this divot or something I just couldn’t or wouldn’t get out. (That’s another flaw)

So it is looking more and more that etching is out the question and waste of time.
Click to expand...
It is for Culinary as Far as I’m concerned ! You want clean SS in the kitchen! Unless you go carbon steel
 
I agree Rhino. My buddy saw a bird and trout I did with an acid stone wash and asked if I could do it on a kitchen knife for him. I said scratching my head, “uhhhh I guess technically yes..but wouldn’t that defeat purpose of stainless..” but it’s what he wanted. Ima let him know about it eventually going to come off and hopefully that’ll change his mind
 
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