Hi. I recently retired and decided to try making knives as a hobby. Right now I'm using 1095 high carbon steel for the blade. After shaping I wanted to etch the blade, but using either Ferric Chloride or hot vinegar after cleaning the next day there is a light film of rust in spots on the blade. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?
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How To Etching a 1095 Blade
- Thread starter Raider 06
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- Jun 1, 2015
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I'm no professional but after I etch a blade I will wash with water, dry and apply some gun oil to the blade. Usually keeps any serious rust from forming for me.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith
ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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You have to remove the acid from the blade, and then remove the water from the surface. After etching, some folks boil the blade in water with a teaspoon of baking soda. Then they rinse will with hot running water. Last, they dry the blade well and oil it with a good grade penetrating or gun oil. A few people go as far as to bake the blade at 250 before oiling so as to remove any water from blade. Then they oil it while warm.
Thanks so much.
Thanks. Will give it a try.