Apple cider etching question.

[Colog]

I recently bought a damascus blade from Texas knife making supplies. Its a nice blade but the damascus patters stops at the handle. It looks as if the handle has been cleaned up with a belt sander. I read that you can etch demascus blades with apple cider vinegar. I tried this, and the metal is definitly reacting to the vinegar. I have not seen a pattern emerge yet tho. My question is how long do I need to keep the blade in the vinegar(heated to just below boiling) before I see the pattern emerge? Or is it more likey that the handle is not demascus at all?

 

[deker]

I recently bought a damascus blade from Texas knife making supplies. Its a nice blade but the damascus patters stops at the handle. It looks as if the handle has been cleaned up with a belt sander. I read that you can etch demascus blades with apple cider vinegar. I tried this, and the metal is definitly reacting to the vinegar. I have not seen a pattern emerge yet tho. My question is how long do I need to keep the blade in the vinegar(heated to just below boiling) before I see the pattern emerge? Or is it more likey that the handle is not demascus at all?

It's very possible that the tang was welded onto a damascus blade. This is pretty common in stick tang construction. Is it a full tang or stick tang?

-d

 

[Colog]

It is full tang. I don't know if you can tell by looking at a picture but it is item # BLTF11 @ www.texasknife.com EXCELLENT DROP POINT DAMASCUS HUNTER

 

[deker]

If it's a full tang blade, it's likely all one piece of damascus. The reality is that you'll probably need a stronger etchant. Go to your local Radio Shack and see if they have "PC Board Etchant". It's Ferric Chloride and costs about $4-5 a bottle. If you mix it 3:1 with water (3 parts water to 1 part FeCl) you'll have exactly the same etchant that many of the makers here use. Do a little searching on the forums for etching instructions (use the "advanced search" it works better) and you'll find loads of info on etching your blade.

-d

 

[fitzo]

It says in the description that the tangs are made from O1 on carbon damascus blades.

For future reference, as soon as the steel starts etching, you should be able to see that there is a pattern.

 

[Colog]

For future reference, as soon as the steel starts etching, you should be able to see that there is a pattern.

I held part of the tang in the heated vinegar for about 5 minutes, the metal reacted but the pattern didn't emerge. Just wondering if it takes longer to work.

 

[fitzo]

Colog, the tang is made from plain tool steel (O1). (I just read that at TKS) No pattern. It will turn gray, but it's been welded onto the damascus to save money.

Here's the link: http://www.texasknife.com/store/s-pages/TKS_MainframeStore.htm?TKS_BladesDamascus1.htm~smain

 

[Colog]

Yeah, I misread your last post. Then reread the product desription. Lol, I understand now. Mental note, "Drink less beer." Damn this knife is going to look like crap with a damacus blade and a normal handle.

 

[fitzo]

Damn this knife is going to look like crap with a damacus blade and a normal handle.

Not necessarily, Colog. It isn't real uncommon to see them finished that way. Try it, you might not mind the results at all. :thumbup:

Get rid of the beer. Drink whiskey. Then you can't even see the screen.

 

[Colog]

Well im going to finish the project anyway. Just don't knon how to transition the blade from damascus to O1. Do I just go straight from damascus to mirror finish or try to blend it it gradually. Guess I'll figure it out. Plus mistakes will add character. Thanks to all for your help.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Maybe I'm missing something here. The blades I've seen are O-1 in the tang area,with damascus blades. That part will be under the handle scales. The edge that shows usually is not etched anyway (due to the grinding and polishing in the final finishing of the scales). You should not have any exposed O-1 on the ricasso area?
BTW, polishing the tang is a sure fire way to round the edges and never get a good fit of the scales. Leave the tang flat and rough sanded to 100 grit.
Stacy

 

[mdoyle]

Colog,
I have personally welded quite a few carbon steel tangs to damascus blades and they turn out quite nicec like this. Simply add filework (or not) to the spine and polish the spine and underside of the tang to a mirror finish after attatching handle slabs. Here's a pic. email with questions I would be happy to help.

Matt

 

[hp2spare]

I've seen the blades you are talking about. They weld the Damascus onto standard steel to keep the prices down. The tang is NOT damascus.