Muriatic acid and scratch removal

MOCraig

MOCraig

Joined
Apr 8, 2013
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387
I've used muriatic acid to darken blades before. Will an acid bath remove fine scratches in a D2 blade, as well? Just wanting to see if anyone has tried this before dunking a blade.
 
Somewhere here on BF*, there are some pics of a D2 blade that had been acid-etched (I think it was ferric chloride). On that blade, the rather large (chromium) carbides that are known to be in D2 weren't etched or darkened much, if at all. The surrounding matrix steel was, so it produced an interesting & contrasting finish.

*(Edit) Here's the post I was referring to:
FLymon said:
Here is my Queen Canoe, I etched this one with ferric chloride.
Before etching the blades were in original condition. Very well finished and smooth.

WLTBUL5.jpg


After etching the steel took on a look and feel that was kind of surprising. When I etch 1095, or Case CV I get a uniform finish that remains pretty smooth to the touch, just darker. The D2 formed "scars" all over the blades. These grooves were certainly not present before etching.

v0Xluu2.jpg
Click to expand...

As suggested above, I don't see the acid working well to remove scratches or even out the finish, in this case.


David
 
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I have used muriatic on D2 before, and it never gave it that classic patina look. It did darken the blade acceptably, however. I ended up using two grades of sandpaper to get most of the scratches less visible, and my thought now is that the darkened steel may hide the rest.

The knife is 100% user, so a perfect finish wouldn't last, although I hope this improves the battered look.
 
Well, I'm not yet sure what I think about it, but it did darken the blade quite a bit. On this knife, whatever I do will end up being worn away, but I'm not sure I'll keep it this way that long. The scratches, you can't see them, that's for sure.

image_zps692860a3.jpg


image_zps45bcf58c.jpg


image_zps2598572e.jpg
 
^^That looks pretty good. :thumbup:

Don't know if you accomplished what you originally wanted, but the blade now looks like it was meant for hard work. That dark oxide may not wear off as fast as you might think. Usually it's pretty durable, once it's set in place.


David
 
Its different than I intended, as you suggested. However, its growing on me today. Has a definite hard look to it.
 
Well, I've decided I like it. Interestingly, when I use it now, people seem to think I left it in a bucket of water for a week. The typical reaction has been along the lines of "What happened?!?"
 
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