Damasteel problem

[flatgrinder]

I'm etching a folder blade in Damasteel. Using Sulfuric acid from a car battery and the it isn't etching too well.

I etched it for 10 minutes @ a 400 grit finish.

It comes out patchy (uneven etch) and dull gray. How do you get decent contrast and not have it looked burned?

 

[george tichbourne]

First throw away the used sulphuric acid, it is contaminated with lead sulphates.

Resand the blade, degrease the blade with laquer thinners, wash the blade in dish soap and water then rinse well and drop it into a clean rag.

Fill a container with fresh, never used, acid and place the blade carefully into the acid and agitate gently to free bubbles on the surface of both sides.

Remove blade and rinse thoroughly then neutralize with dishwashing soap and re rinse.

I prefer muriatic acid myself though.

 

[TekSec]

Forgive me, but wouldn't you etch with Ferric Chloride like regular Damascus? Just a question, never worked with Damasteel before...

 

[steierknives]

Ferric Chloride doesn't work very well. If you go to Damasteel's web site they recommend muratic acid. Got mine at Home Depot.

 

[JCaswell]

As stated above, you'll have to restore the finish before trying again.

Ferric chloride will work, especially if you mix it with vinegar. It's a darker look, and I don't think it's best for Damasteel.

Muratic [aka hydrochloric acid, pool acid] at full strength works well for me. It's a brighter look, but requires a really good (scratch-free) surface to start with. You can get a look at it on the folder blades on my site. (These are hand rubbed at 1500 grit before etching.)

 

[flatgrinder]

Thanks for all the advice! I refinished the blade and tried again in the same Sulfuric Acid (33%) for 10 minutes and this is what happened:

And in more detail:

Sorry for the crappy pics, it was a little foggy this morning.

I'm happy! (It's a freebie for an old friend, hence the Ka-Bar handle).