Need advice re: damascus blades

beckerhead · Sep 25, 2008

I received a handful of blades from a friend last night to clean up, sharpen, and generally overhaul. 2 of them are damascus folders, 1 being a very nice little limited run canoe that is his deer hunting knife. My problem is that the blades are pretty corroded and I am afraid that removing the rust and corrosion will mess up the appearance of the damascus. Before I just jump on it with a handful of 320 grit like an idiot I want to get some knowledgeable feedback.
Thanks,
Beckerhead

siguy · Sep 25, 2008

the thing that is done to damascus blades when they are first made is that they are generally polished to a certain grit (depending on the maker) and then etches to reveal the different colors of metal (because they corrode at different rates)

so you can rub them out but i don't know off the top of my head what acids will give you the results you want.

beckerhead · Sep 25, 2008

That is my big concern. I can get the blades slicked up, and pretty, but, I don't want to hand my buddy a knife with "invisible" damascus. Thus, I need a way to clean them without removing the look, or a way to effectively return that look to an assembled folder. Thanks for the feedback.

J. Rosa · Sep 25, 2008

I think you can clean them off and just etch the blades but you' have to remove it from the rest of the folder obiously. Maybe someone else with more experience can be of better assistance.

Steinerj · Sep 25, 2008

I etched my damascus in Ferric Chloride which is a common printed Circuit board etchant. It probably would be best if you disassembled the knife prior to etching.

hardheart · Sep 25, 2008

I use ferric chloride mixed with vinegar

beckerhead · Sep 25, 2008

I haven't the means nor experience to disassemble a pinned folder. Would steel wool be a safe, and yet strong enough cleaning medium?

nozh2002 · Sep 25, 2008

You should ask this at Knifemakers forum. Even "Spryte" may etch blade, but you better ask professional opinion.

I have article on my website about how to etch wootz from Greg Obach:

http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/Obach-01.html

Hope it will give you some ideas.

Thanks, Vassili.

AKMI · Sep 25, 2008

nozh2002 said:
You should ask this at Knifemakers forum. Even "Spryte" may etch blade, but you better ask professional opinion.

I have article on my website about how to etch wootz from Greg Obach:

http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/Obach-01.html

Hope it will give you some ideas.

Thanks, Vassili.

That's pretty cool! Thanks:thumbup:

Bill DeShivs · Sep 25, 2008

Steel wool (0000) and WD40 should take it off without discoloration. Be gentle.
Bill