Etching blade with handles

[Brettmaverick01]

Is there a way to etch a blade after the handles have been applied? I currently have wooden handles attached and want to etch before turning over to the customer if. Possible to do without negatively affecting the wooden scales. Not able to take the scales off. TIA for suggestions.

 

[shane45-1911]

What are you etching with (ferric chloride?), and what kind of wood are the scales?

Some stabilized wood is relatively resistant to a lot of chemicals, although there is always the risk that you will dye them darker, depending upon your etching solution.

 

[Brettmaverick01]

Yes was planning on using ferric acid. The scales are white maple.

 

[shane45-1911]

Not ideal, but you could try coating the maple scales with a fairly thick coat of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and then try your etch. Don't get any on the blade as it may prevent even etching.

No guarantees the wood won't be affected, but this will lessen the chance. Clean off the Vaseline immediately after etching. Reapply new Vaseline if you need to etch again.

 

[Brettmaverick01]

Not ideal, but you could try coating the maple scales with a fairly thick coat of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and then try your etch. Don't get any on the blade as it may prevent even etching.

No guarantees the wood won't be affected, but this will lessen the chance. Clean off the Vaseline immediately after etching. Reapply new Vaseline if you need to etch again.

Ok thanks man. i Appreciate it.

 

[shane45-1911]

Also note the Vaseline will contaminate your etching solution, so I wouldn't suggest trying to re-use it. Use a fresh batch.

 

[killgar]

If you have any pieces of wood left from making the handles test on those before doing the knife.

 

[Horsewright]

cover just the front of the handles with nail polish. Apply your ferric with a wool dauber instead of dunking it and use a q tip by the front of the handle. Remove finger nail polish with acetone.

 

[Horsewright]

Is there a way to etch a blade after the handles have been applied? I currently have wooden handles attached and want to etch before turning over to the customer if. Possible to do without negatively affecting the wooden scales. Not able to take the scales off. TIA for suggestions.

Thought ya might find this interesting. Did this today. Had a customer send back a knife he'd snapped the tip off of and wanted to know if I could fix it.

Here it is before I sent it to the customer 3 years or so ago.

Here it is with its broken tip after I've started regrinding the primary bevel:

Re-ground the tip and and re etched with a Q Tip:

Lost some of the original hamon but there ya are:

Re ground the secondary bevel, sharpened it and Its ready to head back for some more cowboyin' with the customer.

Total time bout 20-30 minutes which is good cause it started snowing again and I was working outside:

Anyhoo....

 

[Brettmaverick01]

If you have any pieces of wood left from making the handles test on those before doing the knife.

Great idea. Thx

 

[Brettmaverick01]

Thought ya might find this interesting. Did this today. Had a customer send back a knife he'd snapped the tip off of and wanted to know if I could fix it.

Here it is before I sent it to the customer 3 years or so ago.

Here it is with its broken tip after I've started regrinding the primary bevel:

Re-ground the tip and and re etched with a Q Tip:

Lost some of the original hamon but there ya are:

Re ground the secondary bevel, sharpened it and Its ready to head back for some more cowboyin' with the customer.

Total time bout 20-30 minutes which is good cause it started snowing again and I was working outside:

Anyhoo....

That’s great and looks great man. I appreciate that. I’ll be attempting this on Thursday when I’m off.