CruForge V grit for etch?

L

lanternnate

Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
378
I’m working on a Bowie (my first bowie) for a friend. I’ve forged it out of CruForge V, which I know is supposed to go good and dark in a ferric etch. I’m tinkering with the idea of etching the blade for that blackened look. Attempting a blend of old school/new school look. I’m wondering what grit folks take their CruForge V to before etching? Or perhaps better put, what’s the safest minimum grit? I just started the hand sanding at 220, and boy does an 8”x2” blade of CruForge feel like a lot to sand!
 
I have a love/hate relationship with CruForgeV... It's a really neat steel, buy like DevinT says, it is a PITA to finish--very high wear resistance.
 
Dan Farr says that it is easier to finish at 59Rc with the 1500/425 treatment. IIRC, Karl Anderson leaves his at like 60Rc using 1500/410-415.
 
My setup is that of a simpleton. Heat treat temp of a bit more than non magneting in the forge and a temper of approximately 400 degrees in the toaster oven :) What that actually means for Rc, no idea! Don’t have one of dem dere fancy hardness testers either. Based on how this thing has been eating sandpaper, I’d guess I landed on the higher hardness side. Welp, I had a sore shoulder from forging it, might as well have a sore elbow from finishing it ;)
 
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