finishing stainless damascus for the first time...help please

[jrpsycho]

well i am not there yet but need to start planning.... do i etch with ferric chloride just like normal damascus... what grit should i grind to before the etch or do i have to hand rub for the best finish and do i buff after i etch (wouldnt think so) is there any other bits of information that i need to know??
thanks
james

 

[AchimW]

Well, IF the stainless damascus you use is Damasteel you won't see much attack on the surface using ferric chloride. I finish the blades to about 600 grit and buff lightly. I use hydrochloric acid (35 %) and etch the blades for about 15 minutes. I neutralize with lots of water and a natriumbicarbonate-solution.

If you use the austenitic (non-hardenable) Damasteel for guards or such you have to etch with kingswater.

Achim

 

[george tichbourne]

Ferric chloride will etch damasteel to two shades of grey, pickling paste (mainly nitric acid) etches aggressively to dark greys, hydrochloric is less aggressive and will leave a mirror polished finish mirror and frosted silver.

In all cases neutralize in lots of water followed by a soap and water wash,wear eye and hand protection, and work outdoors because of fumes.

Here is a photo of Damasteel etched with Hydrochloric acid.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Ansoknives]

First I handsand to 400 or 600 grit...no polish (Like Terzuola recommends in his book. Then I use hot H2SO4 aprox 30%. I leave it in for about 3-5 minuttes. Then handsand with 800 grit and polish lightly with green crome.

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Jens Anso, jens@ansoknives.com
(check out my homepage)
Ansoknives.com

 

[Jerry Hossom]

If your stainless damascus is by Devin Thomas or Mike Norris, I've found that finishing off to a fresh 400 grit belt is best. Beyond that diminishes the bite available to the etchant.

Clean the blade thoroughly with a solvent (acetone is best). I use a 50:50m mix of Ferric Chloride and water. I etch for about 10 minutes in this, wash well in running water, then rub it all gently with a very fine (gray) scotchbrite pad, and re-etch for another 10 minutes.

I repeat that sequence until it looks good. You'll need to rub the steel gently (I use my fingers) after taking it out of the etchant and while rinsing to see what you have.

I generally repeat this about 3 times on Devin's damascus. I'm not sure about Mike's, since I've only used it a couple times.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The Tom & Jerry Show

[This message has been edited by GaKnife (edited 10-23-2000).]