Hamon etch trouble

bigin

bigin

Joined
Sep 3, 2014
Messages
257
ive been working on a W2 bowie blade. It was forged, ground, then normalized at 1500 f three times. I heat treated at 1475 f and quenched in 6 second oil. It is sanded to 600 grit so far. I have been etching in warm vinegar with a little dish soap. I get a good Smokey hamon but I also get these specs that won’t etch. Small spots in the finish. I have been meticulous with the cleaning pre-etch. I have tried acetone, alcohol, and window cleaner. Nothing changes the outcome. Any help would be appreciated.
 
You may still have decarb on the blade. Post some pics if you can.
How deep did you grind after heat treat?
 
I will get some pics after the next etch. I ground quite a bit off after heat treat. I left the forge scale on at the spine and ground more at the bevels. The fact that the specs are evenly distributed leads me to believe that it is probably a process error somewhere.
 
You need to sand more decarb off the blade.
After doing the HT on a W2 blade, you will have to sand off the entire blade before etching. It probably needs five thousandths taken off each side to completely remove all decarb and expose the full hamon. You can leave the upper bevels Brute-de-Forge, but the main bevel and area were the hamon is must be taken down to clean hardened steel.
 
When the time comes to etch keep away from the chemicals for cleaning the blade. I've never understood guys using acetone and lacquer thinner, etc.
Just clean with warm water and some Dawn dish soap with a soft tooth brush. Rinse clean and etch. Do NOT! wipe it dry with anything.
 
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