Damasteel guard

[Buster63]

Going to be making a blade from damasteel, will be using left over material for the guard, does the guard need to be heat treated the same as the blade for it to etch correctly? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Richard338]

It sure does.
I stubbornly tried without and I couldn't get much contrast. After HT it etched nicely.

 

[Buster63]

Thanks

 

[SBuzek]

Yes