First knife with questions for the next

[canuck cutler]

I just completed my first knife for a fun thing to do. It's a turd

But I had a ton of fun making it and got the bug.

I bought a helle blank and fashioned the handle from scrap baseboard and an old leather purse





For my next projects, I bought some 1084 and alabama damascus. I have a couple of questions that I could not find answers to.

First, the 1084 is 1/8" and I want to thin it to 1/16"
I want the choil to have a wrought/peened look, would it be practical to heat it up and hammer it thinner? Or is this a very dificult thing to do.
I have fears about trying to thin it on the belt sander


Second question, etching damascus
I can't find ferric chloride in Canada for a reasonable price (its $60 a litre)
I've seen videos where people etch logos into steel blades with salt water and a dc power supply. Can the same be done to show the damascus grain structure?

 

[David LaFerney]

That actually looks like a pretty useful shape to me - basically a puukko with a sculptured handle. If you really don't like it you can take it back to the grinder. Probably one you like in there somewhere.

Seriously - nice job on the finish. Good picture too.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Order FC in a powdered form from eBay. Mix it outdoors in a heavy plastic bucket.

White vinegar will etch Damascus, but it is a lot slower and not as dark looking.

The 1084 would be best ground thinner. You can also file it down with a mill bastard file. If you have a friend that has a surface grinder, it will be simple.

The knife you made is OK, but the handle overpowers it a bit. Reduce the size a bit and it will look better.