How to do reverse splatter pattern etching/patina???

[GrizzlyBear]

I'm seeing more and more knives here lately with what appears to be a reverse patina etching in a splatter pattern (among other patterns). It looks as if the blade was etched fairly dark, then splattered with something that removed the etch back to shiny steel.

How is this done? Is there something that can actually do that, or am I thinking about it in the wrong way? My second thought is that they are splattering the blade with *something* then etching it, and then cleaning off whatever resist they used.

I've seen some extremely nice finishes done like this and I would love to give it a try on some carbon blades.

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

I'm seeing more and more knives here lately with what appears to be a reverse patina etching in a splatter pattern (among other patterns). It looks as if the blade was etched fairly dark, then splattered with something that removed the etch back to shiny steel.

How is this done? Is there something that can actually do that, or am I thinking about it in the wrong way? My second thought is that they are splattering the blade with *something* then etching it, and then cleaning off whatever resist they used.

I've seen some extremely nice finishes done like this and I would love to give it a try on some carbon blades.

I am not a knife maker, but I have done intaglio printmaking. When etching the plate, it is covered with a ground that protects the plate from the acid. The plate is only etched where the ground has been removed. Likewise, if the ground was applied in a splatter pattern, only the surrounding metal would be etched.

 

[theHobbyist]

I'm seeing more and more knives here lately with what appears to be a reverse patina etching in a splatter pattern (among other patterns). It looks as if the blade was etched fairly dark, then splattered with something that removed the etch back to shiny steel.

How is this done? Is there something that can actually do that, or am I thinking about it in the wrong way? My second thought is that they are splattering the blade with *something* then etching it, and then cleaning off whatever resist they used.

I've seen some extremely nice finishes done like this and I would love to give it a try on some carbon blades.

I just asked someone about that, I'll not steal his thunder so here's a link to the thread, it's about halfway down.

 

[Frank Niro]

The metal is made of two or more types. Often this is called Damascus. An acid usually ferric chloride is used to etch the metal. The bar is cleaned and a pattern is seen.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Reverse splatter pattern, or any pattern is made by applying a resist first and then etching. For a reverse splatter pattern, splatter the resist ( paint, varnish, etc.) on the clean blade. When the pattern is right, let dry and then etch. After the etch, clean the blade with acetone or whatever solvent works on the resist. The pattern will be bright and shiny, the etched areas will be darker.

 

[GrizzlyBear]

Thanks! I guess since it was late when I posted that, the common sense portion of my brain had already went to bed. I think the thing I was wrestling with was what to use for the resist that would be easiest to remove without damaging the finish and would hold up to the etching process. I read earlier today that some folks use melted wax, dripped on in the desired pattern. But thin paint would work too and be a stronger coating, then removal with thinner/acetone.

Frank...were you asleep when you posted that? I'm well aware of what damascus is lol.