New to chemical etching. Any pointers?

J

Jeff Zimba

Joined
Feb 29, 2016
Messages
81
For a bit of back story, I started making knives from old US high-carbon files. I transitioned to an occasional piece from 01 steel I get from Jantz. Every finish has been a high polish so far with a few cold blue but I would like to try a chemical etch and eventually a bead blast for something different. Since I am starting with 01 barstock, am I wasting my time with a chemical etch or can I expect a pattern or anything interesting to happen compared to the normal polish? I understand the science behind the etching with damascus, but I am not sure what to expect from something that started life as barstock.

I bought etching solution at Radio Shack as I have seen used in several instructional videos.

I'll sit back and let those of you who know these answers have the mic. Thanks in advance.

Jeff Z
Knifemaker Wannabe :-)
 
Etching will do nothing unless you clayed/edge quenched the blade to create a differentially hardened blade. In that case, a hamon MAY show up, but you will need to sand and polish as well. There are many more knowledgeable than me who have posted on the subject. Just search for hamon.
 
I have not worked specifically with 01 but have worked with other carbon steels. If you bought Ferric chloride and etch carbon steel with it then it will turn a dark greyish color. Make sure the blade is clean and I would dip it in for a few minutes and pull it out and see if you want it darker.
 
I had a brain fart, sorry. Matt R is right. I was not thinking along those lines, since most folks who want to darken simple carbon steels will use warm vinegar, mustard, or other options that are cheaper, and safer then using FC.
 
Ok. Cool. I have a few I've bright polished that I think would look nicer as a darker metal. I apply my makers mark with an electric etching machine I made and I have to assume that the mark would be darker than the finely sanded finish of the rest of the blade. Then again, it it no longer porous enough after being sanded to 1500gr? Thanks for the noob questions, but I'm completely self taught and deeply respect your advice here.
 
I'm new also but I just used mustard on a mirror polished 1095 blade last night that I made. 30 minutes with regular yellow mustard was all it took.
 
in regards to the mark, depending on the blackness of the mark, it may be difficult to see. I have seen makers mask off the mark prior to doing a forced patina so the area surrounding the mark does not get darker. If it is masked carefully, (even, straight masking) I think it looks sharp. You can just patina away without doing that, but it will be trial and error to see how visible it is.
 
E71ZsmO.jpg


This is an average mark for me. They are very deep and very large as a rule. Does this look like something I should mask?

Thanks again. Yall rock!

Jeff
 
josh81 said:
I'm new also but I just used mustard on a mirror polished 1095 blade last night that I made. 30 minutes with regular yellow mustard was all it took.
Click to expand...

You don't have a before and after photo by chance do you? I'm not completely clear on this.

Jeff
 
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