Etching Damascus

[Tjstampa]

I want to test a claim that a knife is really Damascus by polishing an area to remove the etchin then re-etch. If this is a good idea what strength of ferric chloride do I need. I am also hoping to make a multi layer billette in the near future when I get access to a friend's power hammer

Picture of the blade. I think it is just laser etched.

 

[Horsewright]

Unlikely that you won't see the re etching afterwards. Hard not to get the darker areas around your spot even darker while you're trying to get your newly etched spot up to the same as the surrounding area, if you do it on the blade. My suggestion would be to etch a small area of the edge, the secondary bevel. Do it with a Q Tip and just on the shiny secondary bevel with the FC. I use a FC mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part FC. If you get the pattern coming in then you can just neutralize with some Windex and strop it back to bright.

 

[KamValleyForge]

I am also hoping to make a multi layer billette in the near future when I get access to a friend's power hammer

How many layers are you thinking? I've recently gotten into damascus knifemaking, and it's really not as tool-reliant as some make it out to be. I just the other week made a 10 layer starting billet with nothing but my forge, anvil and 3lb hammer. didn't even use a welder to tack it - tie wire is a great, cheap alternative if you don't have one already. turned out great, and I plan to keep working it and eventually make a dagger out of it once I get my shop set up again since I just moved across the country.
Granted, if you do have access to a powerhammer for your piece then don't turn that down! it definitely can make it a lot easier and less labour intensive. just saying that you don't *need* the expensive stuff to start making knives, even damascus ones.
Either way you do it though, be sure to have fun!

 

[Taz]

It looks like it has file teeth at the flats near the spine area? I don't know of any damascus files?

I agree with Horsewright, q tip on the edge bevel itself and see what it does and then re sharpen/strop it shiny again! It should only take a few seconds to see the difference.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'm pretty sure it isn't damascus. You can see the path lines across the whole blade ( unless that is something from the photo, not on the blade)

 

[Tjstampa]

The lines go from the spine all the way to secondary bevel

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If you look at the photo closely, you will see traces of them continuing across the blade to the edge. A laser sweeps back and forth, so they leave telltale lines.
Also, the pattern seems to be flat with the file lines on the file area. If the file cuts were up and down, the pattern marks would have bends in them, not be flat.
Final thing that looks odd to me is the pattern seems unnatural. It is attractive, but not quite right to my eye. Can't put a finger on why ... maybe the topography is off?

 

[SharpBits]

The pattern stops before the secondary bevel. It should continue right to the point where the stone or belt removed it.

Below is a screenshot on a zoomed in image of Damascus forged by Loci Knives & Tools on a knife by Wroan Custom Knives. You can see the difference.

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

CNC machined and blasted can leave this look.