Damascus?

David Loukides

David Loukides

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
1,363
Hi,
When making a knife with Damascus, how do you finish the Damascus befor etching? How do you treat it after etching?
Thanks,
 
Finish 600 to 1000 grit. Etch, then clean with windex, TSP, or the like to kill the etch. Rub it down with 1500 -2000 grit. Then oil it and treat like any other Carbon Steel Knife.

Chuck
 
Many patterns also look good polished after etching.

kevin5.jpg
 
I try to get all visible scratches out within reason. Scratches that are left will be telegraphed into the finished etch. I go around the edges with a scotchbrite wheel and fine grit paper in the nooks and crannies.

Clean with acetone first, then windex prior to etch. Don't touch it with your fingers at this point as the oils can mess up the action. Use a 50-50 mix of ferric chloride and water and suspend the item with a piece of heavy gauge wire. I usually go about 15 minutes or more because I like a deep etch but you may go less if you want a lighter effect. Jiggle it and stir every few minutes so that the acid continues to work. A fresh acid mix will be much more aggressive than a jar that has been sitting around awhile and has been used.

When satisfied remove from the acid and dunk into a container of water with plenty of baking soda or TSP in solution to stop the acid. I then rinse under running water for a minute and then gently pat dry. You'll notice some black iron oxide continues to come off on your skin or paper towel.

Once dry you can leave it like that and apply some WD-40 or oil. Or you can polish it which is what I usually do since the long etch leaves the piece feeling rough and dry to the touch. I use a fine scotchbrite flap wheel to gently and carefully buff the piece.
 
For etching, I put an airator at the bottom of my FC tank. Just bought a cheap aquarium pump and a stone diffuser with enough hose to get to the bottom of the tank. Try to keep the pump higher than the tank so it does not siphon. Turn of the pump, soak the suspended blade in a 2 part water, 1part FC fix. Leave for 60 seconds and remove, scrub down with a piece of 1500-2000 grit sandpaper repeat 3 times. This gives a really nice etch for most purposes. Leave it in for 2 mins per cycle if you want a really deep etch. The scrubdown between cycles seem to help move the process along. Just do not put your finger on it between or you'll get prints etched into the blade. I use nitril gloves. When finished I use a moly gun oil and rub it in really well. You can buff or just leave the as etched surface. Just beware:eek: , Damascus is addictive. After that first etch you will never be the same again:D :D :D

Chuck
 
The Billet is on the table with the next batch of knives.
But I have to finish the last batch of knives and their sheaths. At the rate I work it will take about 4 months. Sorry for the Delay IG but my progress is very slow....... You will see it here or I will bring it up to you.
Many THANKS IG For Your Help!!!!
Dave & Wendy
 
loussharp1 said:
The Billet is on the table with the next batch of knives.
But I have to finish the last batch of knives and their sheaths. At the rate I work it will take about 4 months. Sorry for the Delay IG but my progress is very slow....... You will see it here or I will bring it up to you.
Many THANKS IG For Your Help!!!!
Dave & Wendy
Click to expand...
Dave, I hope you are planning a visit with your son and Ole Lady ( Don't tell her I said that:eek: ) before winter???? That way we can do up some patterned damascus. I'll invite some of my good friend to joint us. HEHEHEHEHE!!!
 
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