Etching SS Damascus question

uilleann

uilleann

Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
144
I have a a folder with a stainless damascus blade. I got over zealous when re-profiling the edge and put a bunch of fine scratches on both sides. I sanded out the scratches and finished with a 1000 grit paper. that erased most of the pattern. Then I tried a solution of lemon juice and white vinegar to bring it bsck. That worked really well on a CS damascus blade. It did nothing on the SS Dam. So I got some ferric chloride with water. warmed it up. worked great. I left it in the bath for 5 min to get a good dark pattern. But here is the problem.... it feels a bit gritty like I took away some of the sanded finish?

Did I leave it in too long or should have done something else?
 
The etching process eats away metal. The longer the metal is exposed, the more is eaten away.

Ferric chloride is an acid, which reacts differently with different types of metal, typically resulting in a pitted surface. The more varied the elements of an alloy, the more uneven the results.
 
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