Ferric chloride

[brokenspearpoint]

Trying to find out some info on the etching of blades with ferric chloride. Where to buy? Powdered or liquid? Formulas for the process? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tomh]

I ordered mine off the internet from an electronics supply place.
I use 4:1 ratio of distilled water to fC which is for the liquid stuff. not sure about the powder.

clean the knife good with acetone, dunk it for about 10 seconds then check that it looks ok (no smudges or fingerprints) dunk it back down for a few minutes. when it is done I dunk it in a TSP solution, or rinse it with windex.

I like the tsp better. then polish with Flitz or Maas polish and its done.

 

[deker]

Take a look at my website section on finishing pattern welded steel. It describes the processes I use for all of my finishing, where I get my FeCl, etc.

-d

 

[Phil Dwyer]

There are lots of threads on the subject. Here are a few. There's also lots of info under the hamon subject as well.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616649
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=595598
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618113
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616777
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603777
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602090
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=589329
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580362

 

[brokenspearpoint]

Thanks guys. All of that information helps.