Etching designs into blades

C

C. Hetesi

Joined
Aug 16, 2005
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I've been hanging around the forum for the last couple weeks, after discovering this amazing site, browsing the abundant amount of useful information here.

I heat treated my first three knives last night and, as far as I can tell, they came out beautifully. Before I go ahead with the handles though, I wanted to try etching a simple design into one--like described in 'Step-by-Step Knifemaking' by David boye.

I believe most of you would use, and correct me if I'm wrong, ferric chloride to bring out the designs in damascus steel, and to bring out the hamon in carbon steels/low alloy steels. Could this also be used to put designs into blades if you only exposed the parts you wanted etched?

If so, any details would be appreciated.

The reason I don't just try it with 'Aqua Regia' is because, frankly, nitric acid is extremely hard to come by in this area of Canada. Oh yeah, and buying a pre-mixed acid is considerably easier. :D

Thanks

Colin
 
The answer is yes. Just get some clear packing tape (super sticky kind) and carefully/gently cut out your design. I've done it. Depending on the design, you may want to go over it with gun bluing, since the etch only leaves it mildly gray.
 
How deep can you etch with a cutout sticky tape kind of etch? does it start to pit after a while or is it pretty even?
 
I've only done a quick-n-diry etch. I wouldn't try going deep because you would risk it going under the tape (happens)....
 
Suggest you try it on the handle that will be hidden first, or a different piece of steel.
Once it it there, it is difficult to get rid of, especially if it is not quite what you had in mind.
Mike
 
Read David Boye's book,"Step by step knifemaking".He has a whole section on etching atrwork and such into the blade.He uses aqua regia,but FC will work,too.
 
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