Etching damascus bolsters

[John L]

Question please. If I use damascus bolsters pinned on a fixed non damascus blade, ivory scales...how do I etch the damascus after grinding the pins flush? Tape the blade and scales as best I can and dunk in ferric?

 

[Arthur Washburn]

I deep etch the bolsters before I pin them. I then pin them to the knife being careful to not mushroom them excessively. I then grind the pins down as much as I can without grinding into the bolster. Next I take some heat treating foil and punch hole in it just big enough to fit over whats left of the pin. I then place it over the pin and using a file carefully file away the rest of the pin down to the foil. At this point you have about .002 of the pin left. Take some fine grit paper (I use 1000 grit) and hand sand it smooth. You can then use a Q-tip with ferric cloride to darken any areas that need attention.