Etching Damascus

C

claybuster5

Joined
Nov 18, 2012
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I've researched etching damascus to bring out the pattern and I can't find a solid answer as to how much to dilute the FC acid. I've seen ratios with water from 1 to ten parts per 1 part FC. My question is what do you use? My damascus is 15N20 and 1084.
Thanks,
Patrick
 
I use one of those bottles of FC from radio shack mixed into one gallon of water. Not sure the ratio because dont remember the size of the FC bottle.

I use this for damascus and for doing my hamons.
 
Curious is it the ratio that is the primary thing or learning the time for different ratios to etch the blade. I dont know have only used the batch I made up so want to know if I am doing something wrong or am I just getting the same results from a different road sort to speak.
 
The reason most use 3or4 to 1 ratio is the way it etches the steel.Stronger acid will etch faster but also tend to pit the blade as it is too fast,weaker ratio will etch but take much longer.I use 4-1 ratio and find it is a good medium,relatively quick and also clean etch.

Stan
 
15 minutes in a 1 part ferric chloride 3 parts distilled water works great for stainless or carbon Damascus. Good luck
 
As has been said, most use a 3/4 to one ratio. It is important to use distilled water as most tap water will interfer with the solution. Also, it helps to do the etch in 5 minute cycles cleaning the blade between each one (with a clean soft cloth).

Gary
 
I am researching this too but for a different use item. I want to know how deep of an etch I can put on a damascus item. I was thinking of making damascus crosses and maybe other pendant type things. I have seen damascus that is very smooth but somehow has a very good contrast but what I want is to get a real 3D effect so that the damascus is very noticeable.

I was wondering if one needed a stronger acid solution or is it just matter of letting it sit in the acid longer?


Also if you only do a slight etch where the metal is still smooth how can you get one layer dark and one layer shiny?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Just etch longer. Every ten-fifteen minutes, take it out and scrub it off to remove the black crud, rinse, and put back in. You can etch it until there is nothing left, or stop somewhere before that :)
 
bladsmth said:
Just etch longer. Every ten-fifteen minutes, take it out and scrub it off to remove the black crud, rinse, and put back in. You can etch it until there is nothing left, or stop somewhere before that :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply,

Do I have to make sure and buy a certain type of Damascus? One of the steels needs to be etched faster than the other if I want a real 3d effect so do I need a certain metal combo or will any work?
 
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