How to protect touch mark while etching Damascus?

L

Leon Husock

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Jul 17, 2019
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I like a deep etch on Damascus for maximum chatoyance, but inevitably this really erodes my touchmark to the point where it's often barely visible. I was thinking about cutting small patches of adhesive vinyl to cover it while etching, but that would leave a whole square/circle un-etched which I don't love. Does anyone have a good solution for this? Maybe something that can get in the actual grooves of the touchmark and resist the acid?
 
What peeled away? The makers mark?

I often paint an oval around my mark on damascus and then deep etch. The paint I use most is Testor's enamel model paint, but nail polish works fine, too. After the etch is done I use acetone to remove the nail polish/paint.

If the dark color in the bottom of the mark is what is coming off, you can re-darken it with a Q-tip and FC. After neutralizing it buff with a polish cloth or 2500 grit paper and wooden block.

Another masking technique is to use adhesive vinyl sheet and cut a square/rectangle/ oval/circle etc. and apply it to the cleaned blade before the etch.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
What peeled away? The makers mark?

I often paint an oval around my mark on damascus and then deep etch. The paint I use most is Testor's enamel model paint, but nail polish works fine, too. After the etch is done I use acetone to remove the nail polish/paint.

If the dark color in the bottom of the mark is what is coming off, you can re-darken it with a Q-tip and FC. After neutralizing it buff with a polish cloth or 2500 grit paper and wooden block.

Another masking technique is to use adhesive vinyl sheet and cut a square/rectangle/ oval/circle etc. and apply it to the cleaned blade before the etch.
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I tried to paint nail polish on, then scrape the nail polish so all that was left was what was in the grooves of the mark, but instead the polish all came off.

Fitzo, I don't have a lot of good pictures but you can see it decently in this one, third picture:
 
Leon Husock said:
then scrape the nail polish so all that was left was what was in the grooves of the mark
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Don't do this...just leave a blob of paint over the whole mark or whatever you don't want the acid to touch.
 
When you put the "blob" on, try rubbing the excess off with your thumb, the way engravers color backgrounds. Let dry and clean the to-be-etched areas with alcohol. Acetone after etch to remove.

Or, consider something like a vinyl or paper label oval over the whole mark and leave it unetched. That can look good sometimes, depending.

I'd personally do black enamel in the mark, wipe while still wet to clean the blade, let dry completely, and etch.
 
fitzo said:
When you put the "blob" on, try rubbing the excess off with your thumb, the way engravers color backgrounds. Let dry and clean the to-be-etched areas with alcohol. Acetone after etch to remove.

Or, consider something like a vinyl or paper label oval over the whole mark and leave it unetched. That can look good sometimes, depending.

I'd personally do black enamel in the mark, wipe while still wet to clean the blade, let dry completely, and etch.
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Where do you get black enamel for that?
 
Leon Husock said:
Where do you get black enamel for that?
Click to expand...

I have a can of Rustoleum flat back that I have used for 35 years. Same can. :) Doesn't take much. Draw it in with a toothpick or better yet a pin or needle. Less to rub off.
Stacy mentioned the venerable Testors model paint. that'll do it, too.
 
Before etching the Damascus, I etch my makers marks electro-chemically with a stencil. Next, I mask-off the marks with thin, plastic packing tape. Then etch the Damascus to bring out the pattern. Then I remove the mask and re-etch just enough to color and lightly etch the masked off area.
Saludos

c6GMCMJ.jpg
 
Ahh, that's a great idea! I was worried about having a big shiny square spot with my mark in it surrounded by heavily etched Damascus, but this solves that problem neatly.
 
Leon, looking at your IG acct and you've got some really NICE Damascus. I like the way to combine different patterns in a blade.
 
Ken H> said:
Leon, looking at your IG acct and you've got some really NICE Damascus. I like the way to combine different patterns in a blade.
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Oh hey, thank you man! It's always nice to hear that from other makers. Multibar patterns are fun.
 
On my Damascus folders I use a vinyl oval sticker after my main etch I peel off the sticker and back in the ferric for about a minute, darkens the oval but doesn't wash out the mark.
Also when you peel off the sticker clean the shiny part with a little acetone on a qtip to remove the adhesive.
 
SBuzek said:
On my Damascus folders I use a vinyl oval sticker after my main etch I peel off the sticker and back in the ferric for about a minute, darkens the oval but doesn't wash out the mark.
Also when you peel off the sticker clean the shiny part with a little acetone on a qtip to remove the adhesive.
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Where do you get the oval vinyl stickers? I've been looking but haven't found any.
 
Look for vinyl stickers in all sorts of shapes in art supply and hobby stores. A search on Amazon for oval vinyl stickers will also show a lot of choices.
 
My daughter has a cri-cut machine and makes them for me.
Mine about 3/8" long and 1/8" at the widest part.
 
How about something like a craft/scrapbook paper punch and some clear sticky-backed vinyl? I found both at Amazon for under $20 total for a three-stamp set of circles and a roll of clear sticky vinyl. I have no idea if the punch will cut that stuff. It would be an experiment.

BTW, that is a nice knife, Leon!
 
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