Etching BEFORE hand sanding?

weo

weo

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Sep 21, 2014
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Hello all. I'm planning on trying this on my next 4 knives that I'm about to grind and was wondering if anyone does (or has done) this. My thought is that if I etch before hand sanding, thus eating away a bit of the carbon steel, I will mostly be only sanding the 15N20, thus cutting down both my time and the amount of sandpaper used.
If anyone else does (or has done) this, do you have recommendations on the length of time for the etch? I'm thinking long enough to get some slight topography...

as always
peace and love
billyO
 
Hello Billy. Perhaps you could have given a bit more information? Is it Damascus or? Even if it was the metal is folded onto and into itself and not as a layer. I would leave the etching until the metal was completely finished even if it was to be polished. In fact if you don't , you will be removing the surface of the etching and it will look not so good.
Frank
 
Sorry, Frank. Yes, I'm talking about damascus blades.... And I also plan on doing a final etch as normal.
 
I'd just sand normally, I just etched before sanding and it made it a bit harder to see the initial scratches.
 
I've never experimented with this, but I'm guessing that the overall etch and thus the pattern wouldn't turn out as nicely or as clean as a blade that's had its layers sanded as a whole surface to a proper grit/finish; around 600 and up. Seems like the deeper scratches would effect the way that the acid eats away the layers to reveal them, but this is just a guess.

Aside from damascus, I have heard that ferric chloride (or any acid), on mono-steel at least, can act sort of as a chemical abrasive in between each grit. It seems logical since the sides and peaks of the scratches have more surface area than the very bottom of the scratch that you're sanding down to, but I'm not exactly sure how practical this would be as I've never tested the difference in time and ease when sanding etched and non-etched steel. It does make me think about the way files are sharpened using acid, though.

~Paul
My YT Channel
Lsubslimed
... (It's been a few years since my last upload)
 
Ah well for an etch on Damascus sand down to 600 or even polish the blade; blank out an area with nail polish with enough room to place your name into; etch the blade with a solution of 1 part ferric chloride and 3 parts water for about 10 minutes ; and check if you like it or put in again; wipe clean and neutralize in some water with baking soda added. You can then rub on the blade with say 1000 sandpaper to highlite the top of the etch.
Frank
 
Not sure I'm making myself clear on what I'm proposing, so here's a picture of my thoughts:

0XxcML0.jpg


A.McPherson said:
I'd just sand normally, I just etched before sanding and it made it a bit harder to see the initial scratches.
Click to expand...

That makes sense and seems to be the only potential drawback...
 
I went to a seminar and one of the talks was how to prepare a micro etch. The only 2 things i remember was that according to a study 220 has the fastest material removal. Courser grits just fucus pressure more. And ro use a gloved finger to rub with the acid like a abrasive.

I have tried it out on plain carbon steel blades and it seems to save a little time. Although it might be just a change of pace makes it seem faster.
 
Hmmm. Well I'm still open to learning . This is interesting. Perhaps Stacy has a background on this and will please offer information?
Frank
 
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