Damascus - Can THIS be turned into THIS?

Moxy

Moxy

Joined
Oct 30, 2011
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I'm considering buying a Ti Delica with VG10 damascus. But I'm not a fan of the really dark etched damascus. I like a more subtle finish, like what you see on high end chefs knives. So I have a question for you knife makers with experience with damascus.

Can THIS...



...be made to look like THIS?




How? Is it a simple matter of polishing? Will it need to be re-etched with a different/weaker acid? What do you think? Thanks.
 
Just polish it. I've done it 'by accident' on one of my damascus blades. Flitz or Simichrome, a rag and some elbow grease will mellow the contrast a bit (or more). I'm sure the individual steel type & makeup will affect the results somewhat, so just take it slow. Might 'test' a small spot on the blade first.


David
 
No expert here, but I agree with David. A simple polish should do the trick. The darker areas are just the steel that's more susceptible to the etchant and has therefore taken a darker patina (oxidation). Just as you can lighten or remove oxidation from a homogeneous steel blade via polishing, so should you be able to do the same to a damascus blade.
 
Thanks for the advice. I think I'll give it a try when I pick one up.
 
Moxy,
Yes,
polishing the blade with say 1200-2000 grit will brighten the blade up, or a Flitz etc, at least the parts you can reach? Are you going to take the knife apart and then polish the whole blade? if not you may be spotty near the pivot and plunge lines.
 
Why would you take away the best feature of that knife? That's blasphemy!

If it was me, and I had no choice but to remove the beautiful finish, I would sand the blade with very fine sandpaper (start with no more coarse than 800 grit unless you want to completely remove the pattern, and you should be able to put a light satin to tone the pattern down with just 1500 and 2000) and you should be able to get a good finish. I would be afraid that polishing it on top of the sanding would completely remove the etch.
 
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