Etch resist for Damascus etch

M

milkbaby

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Aug 1, 2016
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I want to etch a Damascus knife in ferric chloride but leave the flats dark kurouchi or brut de forge style.

Any suggestions to protect the dark forge scale during etching? I was thinking of painting on nail polish as a resist but figured the BF collective intelligence might know any problem I'm not seeing and suggest the best solution! Thanks!
 
I've always used enamel(nail polish) with good results:)

~Chip
 
Why bother? You aren't really etching for long enough to eat away any the forge finish. Do you want zero pattern showing on the flats? Typically, the reason that you would sue resist is to preserve the shiny silver finish like for a shield type makers mark.
 
jdm61 said:
Why bother? You aren't really etching for long enough to eat away any the forge finish. Do you want zero pattern showing on the flats? Typically, the reason that you would sue resist is to preserve the shiny silver finish like for a shield type makers mark.
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Thanks, I wasn't sure whether ferric chloride would dissolve the black scale or not.
 
It will dissolve some of the dark color and scale. However, it take some time to remove all of it.

The simplest resist is a black sharpie marker. When done etching, just wipe the blade off with alcohol or acetone.
 
vaseline petroleum jelly might work...so I've been told.
haven't tried it myself
 
"...vaseline petroleum jelly might work...so I've been told.
haven't tried it myself …"

You don't want grease or oils in your etch tank. They will end up floating on the surface of the FC, and any blade you stick in will get contaminated and not etch right. You will end up having to dump the whole tank of FC and scrub the entire tank .. or replace it.

To get a good etch, the blade needs to be freshly sanded at 400 grit or higher, washed well with soap and water, and rinsed with HOT water … then immediately etched without touching the blade part.
 
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