Finishing San Mai

[DustinY]

Okay,


So I feel that I have a pretty good idea how I’m going to approach finishing out this knife that has a Hamon, but for stainless San mai & 1095 copper mai - how would you guys finish these?


For the stainless san mai - I’m thinking 800 hand sand finish - ferric dip (how concentrated should i make my solution????) for X minutes? 0000 steel wool - back into the ferric for X minutes. Coffee etch for 6 hours+


For the copper mai (it’s 1095 core with a layer of nickel copper on each side, and 1095 jacket). Same process but is there a polish step in here for the copper / nickel? Or, what’re your guys thoughts?


Just curious what everyone’s etching solution dilution ratio, process, and ideas for getting good results?

 

[HSC ///]

SS san mai with carbon core. 400 grit is plenty. FC 3:1 with water. Dip for a few seconds is all that is required
No need for coffee except to drink in the morning

Btw, what’s the point of a 1095 jacket on a 1095 core.... isnt the jacket going to be hardened at the same time?

 

[3fifty7]

I don’t have much experience but I believe I read if you dip copper in ferric, it can/will contaminate your ferric, and the “copper remnants” can/will clad to nickel in future uses.
Please correct me if this is wrong.

 

[weo]

if you dip copper in ferric, it can/will contaminate your ferric,

This is true, and in my experience, the copper cladding is not durable/long lasting for those of you who are thinking this might look cool on pattern welded pendants, hardware, etc... Been there, done that. Without success.

 

[DustinY]

SS san mai with carbon core. 400 grit is plenty. FC 3:1 with water. Dip for a few seconds is all that is required
No need for coffee except to drink in the morning

Btw, what’s the point of a 1095 jacket on a 1095 core.... isnt the jacket going to be hardened at the same time?

Seems legit, I’ll bring the coffee Harbeer

 

[DustinY]

I don’t have much experience but I believe I read if you dip copper in ferric, it can/will contaminate your ferric, and the “copper remnants” can/will clad to nickel in future uses.
Please correct me if this is wrong.

You’re right - shit, maybe I can coffee etch it just to get it developed.