Making the Gen II logo deeper

[Ray Settanta]

I want to strip the coating on my BK-2 and I can't tell if the laser etch is deep enough that I won't lose it. Can something be done to deepen it before I sand off the coating?

 

[Sagewood]

You could take the tip of a needle file and slowly "trace" out the logo. It might remove enough material with each pass to make the logo deeper into the steel.

 

[mrn8]

Drop some PCB etchant in there and let it sit until you can see the etchant is "full" of metal particles. I typically let it sit for 30 - 60 minutes. Rinse off away from the edge, because PCB Etchant will etch any metal surface it contacts. Repeat this process until it's as deep as you want it to be.

 

[daizee]

acid etch it before you remove the coating. You can also electro-chemically etch it.
Then strip. The existing blade coating will act as a resist. You DID leave the coating on until now, right?

ETA: whoops, mrn8 beat me to it. yep.

 

[BenchmadeBoy]

Where does one acquire PCB etchant?

 

[Ray Settanta]

Where does one acquire PCB etchant?

If he means Printed Circuit Board, Radio Shack used to sell it. Don't know if they still do. But I thought it was only for copper.

 

[mrn8]

Yep, Radio Shack carries it and it works wonders on 1095. I've used it on a few Ka-Bar 1095 blades, some ESEEs, and even a couple of hatchet heads.

 

[NixKustoms]

Yep that's the joint.

 

[Ray Settanta]

Thank you gentlemen for the good ideas.

 

[Uncle Malice]

+1 for PCB etchant. Do it in 1 hour increments and scrub with a nylong brish while rinsing when done... to ge t the depth I like, I usually have to do 6 or 7 applications (6 or 7 hours total). You'll get something that will look like this when stripped...

 

[BenchmadeBoy]

What happens if ya gots no Radio Shack? Who else sells PCB? Tried a few places in town and one place will sell me a liter for $20.

 

[brady.kevin07]

I want to strip the coating on my BK-2 and I can't tell if the laser etch is deep enough that I won't lose it. Can something be done to deepen it before I sand off the coating?

Don't waste your time sanding it use paint stripper.

 

[Psyop]

What happens if ya gots no Radio Shack? Who else sells PCB? Tried a few places in town and one place will sell me a liter for $20.

I got 4 oz from the river store for 4 bucks and 4 bucks shipping. 4oz will probably last me forever.