Etching solution suppliers

J.McDonald Knives

J.McDonald Knives

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Joined
Jan 28, 2007
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Looking for a place to buy etching solutions. I'm on a limited budget so need least expensive place. I'm finally waiting on my stencil to get here as well as the rest of my supplies. Going to be getting my bowfishing knife finally started and get orders filled before long.
 
are you talking about etching like for damascus or like for etching your name with an electro etcher?

If you want to etch your name you can use a simple salt and water solution or a tsp solution. for etching a blade like for damascus radio shack archer etchant is less than ten bucks a pint wich gives you half gallon of mixed etchant.
 
To etch your name/logo i use salt water works for me but if you can find some frog poo it workes faster. hope this helps
 
Forgot to mention its for etching my name. I'd feel a bit more comfortable using electro etch solution for now until I can experiment with the salt water, and I'm using high carbon steel so I'd rather not have water near it for now.
 
J.McDonald Knives said:
Forgot to mention its for etching my name. I'd feel a bit more comfortable using electro etch solution for now until I can experiment with the salt water, and I'm using high carbon steel so I'd rather not have water near it for now.
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tsp and water will not cause rust but may cause some discoloration. The electro etch solution will also cause rusting if it is not neutralized and it is sneekier than salt water.
 
Bill Burke said:
tsp and water will not cause rust but may cause some discoloration. The electro etch solution will also cause rusting if it is not neutralized and it is sneekier than salt water.
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How do you neutralize it? Also what are some tips and tricks to etching your logo? I have never done any etching before.
 
The etching solutions that Texas knife sell are from Marking Methods. They are PH balanced salt solutions. I have used salt water on tool steel and stainless with the same results as if I use the etching solutions. For neutralizing just spray with Windex that has ammonia or a slurry of baking soda and water. When etching, you only need to get the qtip or pad moist not dripping. After etching clean and dry stencil well. I keep mine between two books, it keeps them flat and crisp. Don't let the stencils get creased.
 
For commercial etching solution I used the neutralizer that the company sells. for the salt water solution that I mix up I just was with soap and water and dry and oil.

Like safta advised above just dampen the pad.
 
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Thanks guys. Thats what I needed to know.

Darrel, thats a 5' gator gar that weighed 60lbs and taken from my backyard.:D
 
radio shack sells etching solution, too - tape or wax works as a good resist with it.
 
I got my electrolyte from TUS tech instead of a homemade brew cause I use CPM154 and did not want to take any chances. I cannot find the pricing but I believe it was around $20 for a quart (which goes A LONG, LONG WAY. I only use a few drops at a time). I know that's more than what you probably wanted to spend but i figure since you make more knives than I do on a daily basis that should last you at least a year.

www.tustech.com Call em and tell em what steel you are using and they will give you the right stuff.
 
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Tru Grit sells a pint of electrolyte for $8.50 . It will be out dated before you use it all .
 
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