Cheap and easy way to get a subdued/acid etched finish on your knife.

Emanuel

Emanuel

BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
Joined
Dec 14, 2001
Messages
5,058
With Cream of Tartar, yes the type you can buy for a dollar or two at any grocery store.

I just tested a piece of my 9260 carbon steel, and I got a nice uniform grey subdued finish.

Just put a couple of teaspoons of cream of tartar powder in some water and dunk in your knife. Stir well a few times and then leave it over night.
You should get a good even subdued finish like I did.

It's handy if you don't have access to ferric chloride or if you want to use a very safe acid that still works just aswell.

Sorry if this has already come up.
 
elvenbladesmith07 said:
what do you mean by a gray finish? like bead blasted?
Click to expand...

My test peice of 9260 came out a nice grey color. Ofcourse it didn't cover an scratches, just gave it a greyish color to the steel.
I'd say well darker than any bead blasted I've seen.
Definetely took the shine right off of the satin finish it had before hand.


Will52100 wrote,
any chance we could get a pic? Is it something like "french grayed"?
Click to expand...

I did this about two weeks ago already, and I let that test piece rust away since I didn't bother to neutralize after acid etching with this cream of tartar.

But anyway, since I have the feeling different steels, and different concentrations would deliver varied results, if you're interested it's best you try it yourself with your favorite steel. I did it with 9260 because that's the only steel I use.

Good luck!

editted to add: I had to google the words "french greyed" since I never came accross that before. Well, I'm not sure, the photos I just saw of something french greyed(mostly firearms) were pretty poor, but from what I could tell, yes, I suppose it's similar to french greying.
I could be wrong though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top