muratic acid,and mammoth ivory

[Jon Graham knives]

We just made our first knife with damasteel, also first with mammoth ivory.
I etched the blade first to see how it would come out , it looked good,
so we put the ivory on, and finished the knife, put fingernail polish on the pin,
and put it back in the acid to etch the spine. When it came out the ivory was real soft, and rough. So I let it dry,and finshed the handle .It seems to be fine,
but the spines etch did not come out good, and I want to do it over.
I guess my question is, how is the acid affecting the ivory? I would really
hate to mess it up.

 

[Steve Hayden]

"I guess my question is, how is the acid affecting the ivory?"

It will dissolve the Calcium in the Ivory.

 

[Jon Graham knives]

Shgeo, I guess my question should be ,what is the proper way to etch
the spine without hurting the ivory?

 

[george tichbourne]

Dry fit everything including the handle and pins, finish everything, wax the exposed handle scales(faces and edges), disassamble. Etch the blade, pins and bolsters too if they are going to be etched. Wax the edges of the tang.

Epoxy the handle and pins in place, let the epoxy set up to hard tack stage and remove excess epoxy by peeling it off or wiping it off with laquer thinners.

 

[Jon Graham knives]

Thanks George, appreciate the advice, I will give it a try.