Finishing Damascus

U

UW Mitch

Joined
Nov 2, 1999
Messages
1,437
I picked up a little damascus blade from K&G Finishing Supplies at a recent show in Washington. I'm making a handle for it, but the blade itself looks kind of dull. I was wondering what would be the best way to bring out the shine in the metal. Since the tiny little thing cost me as much as a whole bar of 01-steel, I didn't want to screw it up.

Thanks,
Mitch
 
I haven't finished a preground damascus blank before, but if you gring your own, you have to etch it in feric chloride or acid to show the contrast between the different steel layers. If this has already been done to your blank, you will want to be careful of polishing it too much as it will remove this contrast. I wouldn't think that a light sanding with 1200 or 1500 sandpaper using a very flat and rigid sanding block would hurt though. it should polish up the higher layers without polishing the lower ones and making the steel look uniform. Damascus isn't usually polished to a high shine anyway though.


Somebody else out there correct me if I'm wrong on this.

------------------
I love my country! I just don't trust my government!
 
The blade has already been etched.
What about using a buffing wheel? Would high speed "erase" the contrast lines?

Thanks,
Mitch
 
A light hand rubbing with a rouge cloth probably wouldn't hurt, or some simichrome, if you're impatient.

------------------
Oz

"Never try to teach a pig to sing.
It's a waste of time and it annoys the pig."
-Lazarus Long
 
The Trick here is to soak in a 50 - 50 solution of ferric cloride (Radio Shack - under $3.00) and distilled water for 15 minutes and then buff lightly then back into the ferric cloride for another 5 to 10 minutes place into a solution of bakeing soda and water to stop the etch and place in oil (olive oil works well) for a few hours. This will give you the bright luster of the etch.

------------------
Curtis Wilson -
Wilson's Custom Knives, Engraving, and Scrimshaw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top