Best way to acid etch D2 steel?

J

just a mechanic

Joined
Dec 3, 2023
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TLDR: Is acid etching a good way to provide rust resistance to a D2 blade, and if so, what's the best method?

I recently bought an OTF from Cobratec Knives, and it came with a very nicely finished D2 blade. However, knowing D2 is a semi-stainless steel, I am wanting to put some kind of coating on it so it has less chance to rust. I've heard of acid etching and am wondering if that's a good method, and if so, what's the best way to go about it?

I tried googling it, but it came up with a bunch of different answers and I just got confused...I'm not a chemist, some of the chemicly stuff is a bit over my head. I did see muriatic acid and sulfuric acid mentioned, as well as some (obvious) safety concerns- I'd be dealing with acid so yeah.

Suggestions, thoughts, comments?
 
Just keep it clean, maybe use some Renwax on it. Good D2 isn't really prone to rust anyhow. Use Muriatic acid on it and that nice finish will be finished....
 
Acid treatment would not be advisable. It would be difficult to accomplish without disassembling the knife. And I'm not certain it would protect D2 anyway. Stainless steel alloys are sometimes dipped in nitric acid or chromic acid to remove any impurities in the protective oxide layer, but D2 has insufficient chromium to be stainless, so even if you passivate it (dip it in acid), I question if it would remain stain free.

I echo Arathol's advice: Keep it clean. A bit of oil or renwax could help.
 
knarfeng said:
Acid treatment would not be advisable. It would be difficult to accomplish without disassembling the knife. And I'm not certain it would protect D2 anyway. Stainless steel alloys are sometimes dipped in nitric acid or chromic acid to remove any impurities in the protective oxide layer, but D2 has insufficient chromium to be stainless, so even if you passivate it (dip it in acid), I question if it would remain stain free.

I echo Arathol's advice: Keep it clean. A bit of oil or renwax could help.
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Thanks for the advice! So where can I find Renwax- Amazon, or maybe KnifeCenter perhaps?

It's not that I mind the current finish on the blade, I just didn't want it to rust on me. This is my first D2 knife, I wasn't sure if it required more care than, say 420HC or 8Cr. But keeping it clean, maybe a bit of oil or wax sounds pretty uncomplicated.
 
just a mechanic said:
Thanks for the advice! So where can I find Renwax- Amazon, or maybe KnifeCenter perhaps?

It's not that I mind the current finish on the blade, I just didn't want it to rust on me. This is my first D2 knife, I wasn't sure if it required more care than, say 420HC or 8Cr. But keeping it clean, maybe a bit of oil or wax sounds pretty uncomplicated.
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Are you in a saltwater environment?

I use D2 steel in my carry knives. I like it.
Never do I worry about rust. Never.
I'm more worried about the wood scales.


*Edit to add.... If you are worried. A bit of mineral oil which can be bought cheaply at any pharmacy would negate most concerns of rust.

Even olive oil from your kitchen would be fine
 
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