black pins - help request

SVanderkolff

SVanderkolff

Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
979
This is a llittle pocket or purse knife I am working on. The steel is Mike Norris stainless damascus as are the bolsters. Unfortunately when I etched the blade and bolsters the 416 pins came out black. They are resessed ever so slightly below the level of the bolster by the etching. I am nto sure what to do. Do I leave them as is, do I use a drill bit and make divots to remove the black or ???? I am not sure what other options there are. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Steve
 
Looks as if they were done accidentally on purpose. Leave them be, but that is just me.
 
The colour doesn't bother me, but I want the plunge line to comeback towards the guard and be angled rather than perfectly straight to the spine...
 
I agree - Leave the pins black. It is a different look that is really apealing to my artistic sense.
 
The black pins look nice. What did you use to etch the stainless, ferric chloride? I have a premade blade ready for handles I picked up from here made from Aus-8 SS and I'm curious if it will etch like your pins did.
 
Thanks Guys.
I think maybe I should just leave well enough alone. I used Muriatic acid to etch the blade since it is stainless damscus.
Thanks
Steve
 
Im going to agree, and if you get tired of lookin at those awful black pins, I think I can make room for it, it will be painful to look at those black pins but I will survive :p .
 
is the black color the result of topography or is it oxide remaining...?
- if its oxide, then you could lighten it up by using 4F pumice powder... but you'd have to be real carefully not to hit the bolster.... that should lighten it up with abit of rubbing...

if you feel the pins are that bad... i'd disassemble it and redo

if not... i'd live with it this time;)

is there a way to make blind holes for the bolster... so none of the pin comes to the surface?


Greg
 
I think the knife looks fine the way it is Steve!!!
If you want the pins to be shiny, you might consider using a small drill bit and just barely touching the center of the pins. An end mill might even be better. You could even take the eraser off a pencil and sand it down to the right diameter and put it in a hand drill or dremel and use it to buff the pins.
Ain't it amazing how many whacky ideas people can come up with to fix something that doesn't need fixing!!! :D
 
I like them black also. that being said I have never etched 416 and had it turn black like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top