Help! Rust pitting on Damascus blade!

H

Heartlander

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Aug 7, 2014
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Hi guys. So I always wrap my blades in paper and tape to protect them while I make the grips and such. It is not unusual for me to work on several knives at once, over the course of several weeks. Today I finished several grips and unwrapped the blades for final detailing. OH NO! Somehow water or moisture had gotten to three of the knives including one beautiful big Damascus Bowie. It had rusted down and pitted the blade! I was able to work the rust out of the other two knives and refinished them fine but the Damascus was a challenge.

I tried gentle approaches first but soon realized I was going to have to cut the surface down past the pitting with some aggressive grinding, then try and bring it back to a smooth finish.

Now, I have never forged a Damascus blade, I buy them online. I did not know what to try so after I ground the rust out and had a smooth finish restored, I immersed the blade in a bucket of Muratic acid to etch for 20 minutes. I washed the acid off and lightly steelwooled then wire wheeled the blade.

It is still polished and I cannot get the Damascus pattern back.

What am I doing wrong or, more to the point, what do I need to do to restore the Damascus blade back to its original patterned finish?

Thank you fellas for your help. I am a novice, only been doing this a few years and always learning. I appreciate your time and advice.

Kent in Kansas City
 
While Muriatic acid is not the preferred etchant, it will probably work.
What you are doing wrong is wire-wheeling the blade. No steel wool, either.
Etch the blade, and then sand it with 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper. If that looks too coarse, try 600 grit.
The idea is to etch, and then brighten the high areas. Use a sanding block, or hard backing when sanding.
 
I don't think I am getting a good etch. When I take it out of the tank the black "soot" is very uneven. When I wash it down I don't see much etch. Is 20 minutes enough time? What better acid should I be using? Thanks. I really appreciate your advice.
 
You will have to sand everything to at least 600 grit, then etch. I would try ferro chloride instead of muriatic...
 
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