first damascus knife

S

sctt reynolds

Joined
Jun 29, 2008
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25
Gday

I'm haveing a go at a knife made from demascus for the first time
and was wondering what people could tell me about etching .
What do I use? When do I do it? And for how long?

Thanks Scott Reynolds
 
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Ferric Chloride. Diluted (I used a 20% mix... some use stronger). Time varies based on strength and how dark you want it. I use 1 hour to 90 minutes usually.
 
Yes. It helps to check it about every 10 minutes to see how you like it. Pull it out, rinse it off and see if it is where you want it. Make sure to clean your blade REAL well before you etch it...Fingerprints can also be etched into it if it is not clean.
 
Yes. By the way, you can reuse the solution several times, so don't feel you have to throw it out. Also, if you store it in a glass jar with a metal lid, the lid will decay if it is exposed to the FC. Storing in plastic is probably better.
 
If you plan to make more damascus in the future, I would suggest making an vertical etching tank out of PVC pipe.
 
I use ferric chloride but at a 3 to 1 dilute ( 1 part ferric chloride 3 equal parts distilled water) 15 min is perfect. Store it in a plastic container make sure you clean the blade very well after etch I always lightly buff all my blades and bolsters then clean with finger nail polish remover then clean again with wd40 everyone has a little different method but that's what I do I hope I helped
 
Apparently the slower the etch the clearer it will be.. an overly strong solution will make it blurry and not look as nice.
 
An easy source for good storage containers is a photo supply place. There are plenty of inexpensive accordion style containers that are designed for acids and bases used in the darkroom. They're excellent for storing it and the same place will generally have good products for measuring and mixing. Just make sure you label the container accurately and clearly.
 
I used plain white vinegar for my first 2 Damascus knives. First heat the vinegar don't have to boil it just hot. The etch takes about twice as long as fcl but vinegar is readily available at any grocery store where as fcl can be hard to find locally in some areas. Once you achieve the desired etch spray down with windex to neutralize the acid then boil the blade in a baking soda water solution to set the etch.
 
I use FeCl 1-1 or 1-2, I made a damascus nail at Ashokan and didn't have any etchant, but there was chili for lunch, so I buried the nail in the chili for 20 minutes, agitating every minute or so with a spoon and got a reasonably good but shallow etch

-Page
 
I store my etching solution in one of these from Walmart

kelly86-15130530.jpg
 
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