- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 2
First post here. Just recently got the bug for customizing knives and making kydex sheaths. I have been reading this forum for a while just never really posted. I wanted to give etching a shot. I got some vinyl lettering and put it on an older knife painted over it with nail polish. I was using my nice battery charger and a q tip and some vinegar. Well, it did not work. Turns out the battery charger was too nice and had an auto off feature when it sensed a short. So I dug out my super old craftsman battery charger. This worked wonderful, it sizzled and popped and turned colors and after about 6 minutes I had a really nice and deep etch.
So I go to try it on my other knife and it barely leaves a mark on the blade. Turns out the steel on the original blade was 8cr13mov. On the 1095 blade I tried it with the same battery charger (one that worked), a battery jumper (dv voltage), and also got some old copper tubing and hammered it flat and bolted it directly to the positive lead with some felt in place of the q tip. I had great connections on everything. I also tried adding salt to the vinegar and also tried just straight salt water. On top of all of that I sanded the blade a little bit with some 1000 grit, then degreased and then cleaned with a dupont metal cleaner. So I guess my question is what do I have to do differently to do the same thing to a 1095 steel blade. Mind you I am just starting out, I am very much a novice but and good with tools and building things. Thanks guys and hope to be more of a regular on these forums.
So I go to try it on my other knife and it barely leaves a mark on the blade. Turns out the steel on the original blade was 8cr13mov. On the 1095 blade I tried it with the same battery charger (one that worked), a battery jumper (dv voltage), and also got some old copper tubing and hammered it flat and bolted it directly to the positive lead with some felt in place of the q tip. I had great connections on everything. I also tried adding salt to the vinegar and also tried just straight salt water. On top of all of that I sanded the blade a little bit with some 1000 grit, then degreased and then cleaned with a dupont metal cleaner. So I guess my question is what do I have to do differently to do the same thing to a 1095 steel blade. Mind you I am just starting out, I am very much a novice but and good with tools and building things. Thanks guys and hope to be more of a regular on these forums.