For Ray Richards and others about the "etch"

[anvilring]

you all are useing. I've got two nice damascus pieces to etch this weekend and the last ones (months ago...)I did in feric. Now the other day at Greg Nelly's shop, he had several blades he had etched and said he used muratic acid. I've used it before but Greg said he left it in for an hour I think... that seems an awful long time. What are you guys useing and for how long? Oh, Greg said the blade he was etching, his damascus that is, was mild steel and 15-N 20. It would seem hard to get a good useing blade with that combination but he's doing just that; has anyone else heard of this combo before??

regards, mitch

 

[AwP]

I haven't heard of 15n20 and mild, but I have seen (and used) 5160 and mild (1018 to be exact) from Alabama damascus. At first I thought there'd be problems hardening it, and was told such, but I did it anyway and it turned out alright. Turns out it's 75% 5160 so not counting decarb it ends up at .51% carbon. I donno what the carbon level is in 15n20, but if it's high enough and the proportions of that vs the mild are good then it can end up being a perfectly fine blade damascus.

An hour sounds like a long time to use muriatic, but if it's diluted enough (alot) then it can be ok.

 

[Raymond Richard]

I've heard Bill Moran's favorite damascus is O-1 and 1018. He just hardens it and doesn't do anymore for a heat treat.

My advice for the etch is see what works best for you. I prefer doing several quick etches anymore and cleaning the blades off before I put them back in. About the only thing I'd use for a long etch would be vinegar.

 

[jhiggins]

I haven't heard of 15n20 and mild, but I have seen (and used) 5160 and mild (1018 to be exact) from Alabama damascus. At first I thought there'd be problems hardening it, and was told such, but I did it anyway and it turned out alright. Turns out it's 75% 5160 so not counting decarb it ends up at .51% carbon. I donno what the carbon level is in 15n20, but if it's high enough and the proportions of that vs the mild are good then it can end up being a perfectly fine blade damascus.

An hour sounds like a long time to use muriatic, but if it's diluted enough (alot) then it can be ok.

A good combo I used to make was 15n20 and 1084. Makes a nice contrast when etched with muriatic. On the subject of etchants: Any acid or base will etch, but it depends on the dilution and the steels being used. Some are prone to etch better in one than another. You can even use sulphuric acid if you want, but dilute it to 2%.

As a side note, for those of you who intend to anodize titanium someday, Sulphuric acid makes a better electrolyte than TSP. The greens are better and higher voltages can be used with more-defined results. Just a tip. Oh, and btw... the ratio is 4 oz sulphuric to a gallon distilled water.