K390 Mule: Artificial Hamon (Etch/Patina Question)

[cm_bushman]

Ok guys, so I have a K390 Mule on the way, and I was hoping for some advice on a mod I'd like to do. I really like the "potato patina" affect shown here:

(Credit to BF member Dipbait)

And I am a big fan of forced patinas and acid etching in general, though I've never done it myself. My question is, would it be possible to cut half a potato into a random, mountain-range like pattern (or use nail polish as a resist), leave the K390 blade in it for a time, and achieve a result somewhat like this?

(Credit to BF member Salem Straub)

Or, could I achieve that dark color better using nail polish and acid etching, vinegar, citrus, mustard, Coke, etc., and if so, how?

I am really just wondering if K390 would take on a color that dark, and how easy it would be to achieve. Any advice or recommendations are welcome and appreciated.

 

[pwet]

potato i'm not sure, k390 is not 1095, if its like 10v (k294) it takes way more time to get a natural patina. but i'm fairly sure you could get any pattern you want with nail polish and ferric chloride but the result wont last like a true hamon on simple steel will. unless you etch pretty deep on the upper side. you wont have the details a true hamon shows when properly polished too, just a sharp transition between dark and brighter areas.


i havent tried forcing a patina on my 10v yet just for one reason, if i dont like the result i'm afraid its doing to be a nightmare to clean. m4 is already a pain to get back to new when a serious patina took place.

 

[cm_bushman]

Ferric Chloride it is then! How long would you expect an etch like that to last, considering normal use and a natural patina on the rest of the blade. I'll have to look up a good acid etching tutorial now...