Finish on an Alabama Damascus blade blank

[donnord]

For background I have never worked with Damascus. So I bought a discount blank at blade show from Alabama Damascus. The price was right and the shape and design were what I was looking for. The finish on the blade is rough and looks like it was sprayed with clear coat of some kind, probably Forge Coat as they sell that product. Also there is some rust in spots. My question is, if it is a coating on the blade can I remove it without abrasives, maybe Acetone? Also if I hand sand the blade to smooth out the finish will the blade need to re-etched?

 

[ScarFoot]

If you hand sand you will definitely have to re-etch. Long soaks in vinegar or shorter soaks in FeCl will work. I’ve used Alabama Damascus and 5 minute soaks in 5:1 water:FeCl mix seemed to give good results. They’re generally pretty responsive if you contact them so I’d start there first.

Try acetone on the coating and if that doesn’t work try mineral spirits.

 

[donnord]

Thanks, ScarFoot. I will drop AD a line.