More Damascus Help?

[Nic W]

Many thanks for replies to my first cry for help! My billet has had another few layers of 5160 added, it seems to harden to some degree now, with a small section I want to try a letter opener, how should i go about hilighting the different layers of metal after grinding? do I need to harden the knife or will the layers show up in the annealled state? Im particulary keen to leave it soft as i do not at present have a belt sander so have to " grind" it by hand on a coarse stone (or file) Nic

 

[Guy Thomas]

Hey Nic, the damascus pattern will only show up after being etched with an acid like ferric chloride. You need to have about a 400 grit finish before etching. -Guy Thomas

 

[Bruce Evans]

It will etch ok in a unhardened state but the pattern will show better if you will heat treat it....You don't have to worry about the hardness as much for a letter opener,so I would say to just finish it out and then etch it in ferric chloride or if you dont have any try vinegar,They tell how to do it this way in the neo-tribal forums.
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society

 

[Otha]

U can get the ferric chloride from radio shacke for bout $5 or so..

 

[Bruce Bump]

The last batch of etchant I mixed was: 1 part Radio shack etchant 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water. It works very good. Maybe a little too fast. A slow etch gives the best look. I use TSP (trisodium phosphate) to neutralize between dippings and after. Bruce