Guard/ Damascus Finish

[Frank Eaton]

I am currently working on my first damascus blade. Doing a hidden tang, I attached/ soldered my guard, then I began finishing with Ferrous C. I am sure everyone in here knows the problem but me, but anyway it ate all my damn solder off. What are proper steps for getting this done right, or where can I find out. Thanks for your comments ahead of time. Frank

 

[AwP]

You can use solderless guards with JBweld, when etched it'll sometimes show a slight rusty color, but it doesn't get eaten by the acid. Here's a link to a tutorial by Terry Primos.

http://www.knifenetwork.com/workshop/tut_guards_primos.shtml

 

[ddavelarsen]

Is your guard damascus also? If not, and if you're not set on the idea of etching it too, you can mask it (and the joint) with fingernail polish before etching. I think this is a neat trick and it'll be part of my bag o' tricks if I ever start using much damascus.

 

[Jason Cutter]

I have been taught to etch and finish the blade by itself, before fitting and attaching the guard, which is a solderless technique ala Primos technique. I simply cannot get my head around the masking off process - it gives me panic attacks just thinking about any small areas I forgot to mask off. But if you've already attached the guard, it might be the only practical way to do it.

Hmmm... this is probably no help to you at all... Jason.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Good object lesson.ALWAYS finish the blade prior to soldering the guard on.On this knife you can unsolder the guard,clean it up,finish the blade and resolder it.All should be fine.If it is a damascus guard,I would finish both before soldering,or you can JB weld it and etch.Finishing is much easier before assembly,though.I personally,do everything, including most of the handle work,before soldering the guard.

 

[J. Neilson]

Like everyone said above. You can solder the guard, then paint it with clear nail polish, then etch. If the guard is damascus you can solder, then etch the whole thing. I etch the damascus blade then JB Weld my guards if they're not damscus. My preference.

 

[B . Buxton]

I etch all my blades after assembly, and the reason is most of my blades have damascus guards. I do solder all my guards,( I feel this gives the best quality that I can produce) and haven't found a way to clean up the etched damascus after soldering without messing up my etch, so thats why I etch after final assembly. I have never had a problem with my etchant eating up the solder. What strength are you useing and how long did you etch? I use radio shacks ferric chloride mixed 4 to 1 and etch and never have to etch for longer then 30 minutes total to get a nice deep pattern showing etch. Also what solder are you useing. I use radio shacks .022 silver bearing solder.

Bill

 

[J. Neilson]

That's cool Bill. I use a 3 to 1 mix of the same. I've had the etchent eat only slightly and only a couple times. Not enough where it ruined the joint. On these occasions I've used JB Weld, after the fact, to blend/smooth everything out. I may have to try a 4 to 1 mix, as you do.

 

[Frank Eaton]

Well I didn't dilute the FC at all, so that is probably why is ate my solder. I will give all the advice a whirl, thanks.