Case Damascus Question? Help

[Jedibowls]

I have a Case 3 blade whittler knife with a damascus blade I scratched sharpening it. How can I get the dark color back and remove the scratches? Thank you

 

[richstag]

Gun blue kit
Warm vinegar

Something along those lines would be easiest.

 

[Jedibowls]

Thank you. What does the warm vinegar do?

 

[Stich2442]

The vinegar will re-establish the etch/patina on the carbon portion of the blade, my Damascus peanut was developing a dull grey portion through use, I rub with a jewelers cloth and cleaned the blade and put it in a apple for a while, anything acidic will rectify the problem, the vinegar will probably work faster add maybe add more contrast between the steels

Before

I took these today

Good luck,
Pete

 

[richstag]

Thanks Pete for that

Yeah, just wipe the blade off with acetone and heat up a cup of apple cider vinegar so its warm to touch and dip the blade in for about a minute.

Rinse it off with water and rub it down well with oil. That's all you need.

All the extra time just comes off with use anyhow in my experience.

Kevin

 

[jon_slider]

> What does the warm vinegar do?

It builds patina on the 1075 steel in your Damascus, leaving the Nickel portion untarnished.

The vinegar can be cold, hot just works faster. Try to wet the blade completely in a single dip or wipe. If you rub the blade back and forth with vinegar on a Qtip, you get uneven patina.

Bottom knife, fresh out of the box

First hot vinegar wash on brand new blade, produces very even patina

Second Vinegar wash produces irregular patterns because it lifts the previous patina and moves it around

The damascus on your knife was originally etched with Ferric Chloride
http://www.devinthomas.com/damascusSteel.cfm
http://www.devinthomas.com/faq.cfm

 

[Jedibowls]

Thank you all for the help. Do i need gun blue also , would vinegar only be better?

 

[Jedibowls]

Also will distilled vinegar work as well as the apple cider or are they the same ?

 

[Stich2442]

Also will distilled vinegar work as well as the apple cider or are they the same ?

Yes, any vinegar will work, you can also stick it in a apple or a potato, etc.

Good luck

Pete

 

[Jedibowls]

Wow Stich2442 !!! That looks brand new. How long did you leave it in the apple? Thank you

Todd