Exching Damascus Blades

[Drop point]

I am working on my first Damascus blade and have some questions.
Can the blade be reetched after the handle is on, and if so what do you etch it with that won't hurt the handle? The handle on this particular knive is being nade from stabilized California Buckeye Burl with nickel silver pins and bolster.


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mconner@luminatorusa.com

 

[SquareD]

Hi Dropoint, No, don't go there. Etching needs to be completed before assembly, and care must then be taken to preserve the etch while you finish off everthing else. If it is absolutely necessary, you can touch up the etch with whatever you are using, by masking off areas like guard, handle, etc. with a coat of nail polish. Then re-etch carefully. not submerging the entire knife, only the blade. This is a little tricky, and if you get the polish where you want more etch, it will not etch, and you may leave lines etc. you should only use this procedure in case of emergency. Best practise is get it right the first time, and then proceed with caution.
good luck! SquareD