manganese phosphate to darken the 1080 in Damascus

[Boatbuilder]

Does anyone have a recipe/procedure for using manganese phosphate for darkening of the 1080 in Damascus?
Thanks Kindly
Jim

 

[butcher_block]

i have a kit that was for parking barrels/blades i forget where i ordered it but it worked fine on simple carbon steels not so much on anyhitng with much alloy in it. for damasscus i woudl etch deap first clean then parkalite finish and then take soem 2K grit on a hard backer to clean the tops of the steel

 

[12345678910]

Also look at the instant coffee patina

 

[R. Trentin]

I use 6 parts of water to 1 of phosphate, if you tank is made of stainless you have to activate the bath with steel wool every time you use.
I use the tempeture about 85 to 100 celsius degree, you have to convert... haha
But thats a resume of all the process of brings the right contrast on damascus, the process begins on the forge!!

Here a exemple of a knife i made with a very dark finish using manganese phosphate.