Anyone do any etching with Alabama Damascus blanks?

O

Ome108

Joined
Apr 29, 2014
Messages
224

Hi Guys,
I was blown away after watching a video on etching a knife with a preselected pattern and metal mixture from Alabama Damascus.
The blanks are available for purchase and are a combination of nickel, band saw stock, and a few other metals, all rolled and folded so that their was over 400 layers!:cool:
After the knife is made, it is placed in a solution of vinegar and some kind of acid,for about 20-30 minutes, but everyone has their own favorite.
After the soak, the knife is cleaned completely and then some finishing and it looks very cool.
Would love to hear from anyone that has had experience with this type of finish.
Thanks,
Jon
 
Jon,
What you are describing is the standard method of etching damascus. It is pretty much the same for everyone. The "acid" is called Ferric Chloride...FC for short.
It can be purchased in dry crystals and the stock solution made up, or purchased in liquid for as PC etchant from Radio Shack and electronics suppliers.

A search on Ferric Chloride, and Etching will give you hundreds of threads to read. This is the BF search engine. Put it in you browser:
https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra
 
Thanks Stacy,
I am sorry to post something so obvious to all of you experienced knife makers.
I should have known, I just became like a kid again, when I saw that video on etching Damascus.
It wont happen again.
Jon
 
Mot a problem. Etching is a constant subject of discussion. Damascus is an even more frequent discussion. You can see lots of etched blades in The Gallery and in The Exchange.
 
While I'm in this frame of mind,

head on over to Knife Dogs for Bruce Bump's forum

He has several WIP's that are more valuable than several books and videos I own.
 
Thanks so much, the first link to that five part video is amazing!!'
Is he a knife maker as well as a blacksmith?
I have to check out knifedogs, i just got accepted also.
Thanks so much,
Jon
 
Last edited:
Here's an older video that I did featuring Alabama Damascus. Skip to 2:40 or so to see the acid etch.

[video=youtube_share;ijU1t5091Ro]http://youtu.be/ijU1t5091Ro[/video]
 
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