overdid the etch

B

beyondmyken

Joined
Dec 23, 2000
Messages
217
Was trying to acid etch my first blade. I used a 3:1 water to ferric chloride mix but didn't see much in 30 seconds so I said,"what the heck" and used full strength ferric chloride. The grain really popped out but when I neutralized the acid all I got was a dull gray blade with lots of metal powder residue. What can I do to salvage my blade? Do I need to sand it down and retry? BTW this was a piece of wootz from Brisa so I am not trying to get a temper line. Yes, I know I should have tested a small piece first but my eagerness got the best of me.:mad:
 
You should have tested a small piece first. Sorry I could help myself. Yes we have all done that at one time or another. I have to set a timer so I dont forget to take a blade out. Once I left a harley chain dagger in for about 6 hours before remembering. I was sure it was ruined but I sanded it down with 320 and finer grits. It still had deep craters but looked cool anyway. You could regrind and dilute the mix to about 4 or 5/1. A slow etch may take longer but always turns out better.
 
Hi Bruce. Thanks for the advice. I purchased a semi-skinner blade from you about two years ago(before you became a journeyman smith. Congratulations.) It turned out nice with a birdseye maple handle. I used it to dress out a 6 X 6 elk on a Colorado rifle hunt last year. Did your prices go up?:)
 
Don't listen to Bruce, he hangs out with dastardly villains all day :p

Okay, kidding aside: I totally agree. A slow etch will always look better. A full strength acid etch will bring out a pattern or temper line very quickly, but it will be coarse and uneven...as compared to a weak/slow etch, which will be even and smooth.

It sounds like you will be able to sand it down and retry. I left a blade in acid for about 4 hours once (totally forgot about it) and it pitted the damascus really badly in all the weld lines. I hope yours isn't so bad (I don't suspect that it will be).

Best of luck :D
Nick
 
Oh Yea I remember. Nice to hear from you again. Glad the blade works well. It was your own design if my memory serves me. A good design too. My prices are higher now but just because I want to make some of my dream knives that have been on hold. Nick is right, I run around with convicted rapists and murderers by day and try to make knives at night. Time is a premium for sure.
 
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