• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

black oxide finish

D

daily_grind

Joined
Apr 5, 2024
Messages
93
I etched a damascus blade for the first time with ferric chloride ... well ... I messed it up the first time (I was too aggressive with the sanding), so lets say second time. I noticed that the blade came out very black, which was sort of neat. I was wondering how durable the black was compared to a hot salt "blue"? Something like Brownell's Oxynate #7, for instance?

I'm guessing that the hot salt has a more durable finish - because otherwise why bother with the added risk of molten salt if ferric chloride is just as good.
 
It is just a surface oxide and will rub or sand off. Many folks do a coffee etch after the FC, but while shiny and black it isn't more permanent. Even the deeper treatments like Parkerizing and hot salts is only a surface treatment and will wear or sand off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top