Damascus Finish

[Whit]

Just curious how all of you finish your damascus blades. What grit do you sand to? etch time? also when do you etch? do you fit your guard first, take it off, then etch? i'm trying to figure out how to prevent screwing up the finish on the blade while i do the guard and handle. Thanks.

 

[Laredo7mm]

Etch Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Etchant: Fe3Cl 3 parts water to 1 part ferric

I etch the blade after my ricosso is even, then electrical tape the blade and fit the gaurd, handle, and pommel. My last grit i use is 240. Then to the buffer with black rough on a sisal wheel. Clean the blade and etch.

Hope this helps

 

[B . Buxton]

There's lots of ways to do this, but this is how I do it. Maybe it will help.
first I sand my blades to 1500-2000 grit (mirror finish) then I tape the blade to protect the finish, then fit and soder the guard on.I sand the face of the guard to at least 600 grit before I soder. then I very carefully put finger nail polish on the guard to protect it from the acid and hang the blade in a jar of 5 to 1 ferric cloride with just the blade covered and part of the guard. leave 10 minutes take out and sand lightly with 2000 grit to remove oxidation and then place back in the acid, I do this every 10 minutes until I get the depth I want. after etching I spray the blade down with ammonia, scrub with an old wore out tooth brush and rinse with clean water, dry the blade off and then lightly oil. Continue on with the handle.

Good luck

Bill

 

[Pinoy Knife]

I Hand Sand All of the Blade with 320 Grit on a Titanium Bar Go for Complete Removal of all Grind Line's Then Etch with Ferric Cloride Full Strength !! 15 minute's the Trick is Don't Touch the Blade between Sanding and Etching !! Etch once Then Nuetralize / Buff with Green Rouge / if any Bad Spot's Sand all Again And Re - Etch !! Mask with Fingernail Polish to Protect Special Area's !!