Etching Stainless Damascus

[DC KNIVES]

I have never used stainless Damascus before.I use muratic acid and windex on carbon steel Damascus with good results,will this work on stainless?Dave

 

[Bruce Bump]

I have used Devin Thomas double stainless. I use 2-3 parts water to 1 part ferric cloride. It etches about the same as plain carbon steel. Try your mix, I bet it works good. I like to etch it deep and then buff it good. Bruce

 

[george tichbourne]

I prefer to mirror polish the blade, clean it up with laquer thinners then soap and water then etch in muriatic acid. This leaves the hard layer mirror finished and frosts the softer layer.

After all if I have put out the cash for stainless damascus why not show it off?

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Tom Anderson]

At first, I used ferric chloride, but found it difficult to get an even contrast without a lot of hand rubbing in between etching cycles.

Then, I tried 38% hydrochloric (reagent). This not only etched the softer layers but frosted the hard layers, even with a limited (5 minute) dunk! (It's real dangerous, too!)

Now, I use muriatic acid (a milder form of hydrochloric). The blade is mirror polished before I clean it and dip it in the muriatic acid. With damasteel, a singe 15 mintute dunk does the trick! I then neutralize it in a 20% baking soda/distilled water mixture.

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Tom Anderson
Hand Crafted Knives

 

[Don Cowles]

I use ferric chloride diluted 50/50 with water on both Norris and Thomas stainless damascus. Having the blade squeaky clean, and making sure your etching solution is not old/worn out are the two most important variables. Limit etching cycles to 5 minutes- it's easy to overdo.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

I do pretty much the same as Don. I follow Devin's instructions about finishing to just 400 grit, using 400 grit greaseless compound (Koval) on a loose buff as a final finish. I then etch in 5-8 minute cycles, washing with running water and rubbing it out briefly with very fine (gray) scotchbrite between cycles. For his Raindrop pattern, I use about 4-5 cycles to get the holographic effect you can get with that pattern. Deeper etches seem to bring out more character and wonderful patterns that light etches miss. I do a final rub with the scotchbrite followed by wearing out a couple paper towels.

As Don says, it is vitally important that no residues be on the steel or you will get uneven and lighter etches. Soap and water are good for cleaning.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show