deep etching damascus?

C

clockworkfish

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Dec 1, 2010
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Just fondeling my Mcusta with damascus and one of the things i love on it is how textured the damascus is. How would you go about etching in deep enough that you can feel the ripples? most other damascus i see just has a really flat finish to it, so is it just the materials in the damascus? or is it the time in the etchent?

Regardless thanks for your help!
 
Multiple etches is what gives Damascus "topography".
 
Type of etchant
Strenght of etchant
Time in etchant
Temp of etchant
Number of etches

Would be the main variables in getting a deep etch.

Typically stronger etchant, longer time in etchant, warmer etchant and how many times you expose the steel to the previos conditions will produce a deeper etch.
 
+1 on that. I prefer clarity and contrast over depth though. Just my opinion.
JMJones said:
Type of etchant
Strenght of etchant
Time in etchant
Temp of etchant
Number of etches

Would be the main variables in getting a deep etch.

Typically stronger etchant, longer time in etchant, warmer etchant and how many times you expose the steel to the previos conditions will produce a deeper etch.
Click to expand...
 
One thing to add to the above is either steel wool. or 1k grit, between etches.
 
DO NOT use water with the etchant unless its distilled. Etch the blades in a 50/50 mix of ferric chloride and white vinegar. This should take from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how deep you want your etch. Ferric chloride is available in pint bottles at The Radio Shack for $10. I drill a small hole on the end of my handle. Then i tie off a piece of fencing wire and bend a hook on the other end. This way i can drop it down inside my etching tube without making a mess. If you want it deep enough to "feel the ripples" leave the blade in there for about 4 hours. Here is a picture of my setup.

IMG_1943.jpg
 
You can also just hang it in an open container. A mix of say 2 - 3 parts water to one of ferric chloride will often do a good job in m10 minutes or less. Frank
 
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