Electrolyte for etching tool steel?

[onewing]

Looking at these etching systems, they have a big long list of unnamed chemicals for specific metals for which they just assign a number to.

I'm assuming its not that exotic, and as etching supplies aren't that common what is the actual chemical in the electrolyte for tool steel?

 

[kdnolin]

I’m no expert, but salt water has always worked for me on simple carbon steel, AEBL, S35vn and M4. I don’t measure, but probably mix 1/2 tsp in 1/2 cup of water.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The Custom Search Engine in the stickys will get you lots of threads on this subject. Here are a few:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/homebrew-etching-electrolyte.1527989/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/better-electrolyte-for-etching-1080-80crv2.1615622/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/are-professional-etching-electrolytes-worth-it.1650244/

I find the commercial solutions work well. A bottle should last many years.

 

[P.Brewster]

Buy a bottle, ask for the MSDS, now you have the ingredients

 

[Shane Csepp]

I haven't bought a specific electrolyte solution yet, but perhaps I will in the future.

So far I have been getting by well with a simple solution of around 1/2 tsp of kosher salt, 1/2 tsp of white vinegar, and around 1/2 cup water. I have been using tap water, but it's probably better to use distilled water.

I have etched 1084, 1095, AEB-L, 80CrV2, 304 SS, and CPM 3V successfully with the above recipe. I have some S60V that I can do a test on and see if I have any issues.