Nice Hamon on Everest Katana!

If you want to etch using ferric chloride, first cut it one part FC to 3 parts water. Warm solution works better than cold. I etch my 1084 blades for less than 5 minutes. Use steel wool after the etch to remove crud and mellow out the finish a bit. Need to have at least a 600 grit finish. In the right light you should be able to see a temper line at 600 grit. Use wet/dry sandpaper with lots of water. A relatively light etch like I di is easily removeable with a bit of sanding at 600 grit.

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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
Busy! Starting a business, particularly a health care practice, is a lot of work! I have also been working on my own custom knives, but still find time to visit the forums regularly. I was just thinking the other day that I seem to have lost the original $40 village khukuri that gave me the HIKV to begn with! I loved that thing, it was perfect in every regard, but moving always causes me to lose something and this time it was that khukuri.
frown.gif


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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
I have tested my method of etch with a variety of acids. I have found phosphonic to be the best. It's messy and smells bad, but it is quick and gives a decent, easy etch. The biggest problem is that once air comes into contact with the residue of the acid after the etch, it forms a white crud which completely obscures the blade...so it's a race to carefully wipe all the acid residue off before it starts to mess everything up.

regards
Matt
 
You may want to try neutralizing the acid before the crud forms. Use TSP (available at any hardware store) and make a solution with water. It will form a precipitate with any acid, and you do need to clean it off, too, but it may save you some trouble if you are using phosphoric acid. You definitely need to chemically neutralize the acid, regardless of what you use, or the etch will continue to develop even after rinsing.

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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
Hmmm...I haven't had any problems so far. The acid is phosphonic, not phosphoric.

If the etch was continuing, would it be obvious? I haven't seen any changes in the appearance of the etched blades over a course of several days...

regards
Matt
 
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