Etching with forge finish

[BKT]

So to bring out my hamon on my blades I start in ferric chloride. The problem is when I soak in the FC it turns the forge finish a whitish color and I want it to retain the blackened scale color. I see some very nice hamons with forge finishes so I am wondering what all are you guys using to etch the hamon on these?

 

[Ghostman3]

Is there a resist you could paint over he forge finish and then wipe off later?


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[kuraki]

I've only done that once but I didn't have that happen. I don't remember if I'd already wiped oil on that part or not.

 

[Willie71]

The decarb under the scale (which is dissolved by acids) will etch white.

 

[BKT]

I can try the resist. Maybe nail polish or wax.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Or rub some gun blue or steel black on the forge finish area when done with the bevels. A little rubbing with steel wool after that and it looks great.