polishing after etching hammon

P

pike3e

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Sep 28, 2008
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I heat treated a 1080 blade with clay and appears that I got a hammon. I finished the blade and hand sanded down to 1000 grit. Etched for five minutes in radio shack etchant, vinagar and water in equal parts. I can clearly see the hammon after the etch but after sanding again at 1000 and also trying just a paste polish, it does not stand out much after polishing. Any suggestions would be great.


Thanks

John
 
Polish to 1000, etch for 2 minutes with FC and water in a 1 to 3 mix (water 3 parts), neutralize in ammonia or some other base and sand with 2000 grit. You can also darken it up after etching with vinegar heated lightly and then clean up with 2000 grit again.
 
with the steel wool do you pull in one direction as in hand sanding or do more of a polishing motion?
 
I sand to 1200 - 2000 grit, etch, polish with braso and chromepolish. Lots of diferent brands out there, so be carefull not to buy something too abrasive.
Works for me.
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P. K. has good advice, try and stay away from paper abrasives after the etch though there may be a place for them, perhaps small bits of worn out 1500-2000 grit paper for polishing around activity on the blade. Don Fogg has used bits like this on the end of a pencil's eraser. I invariably wash out the hamon when trying to use paper, however lightly, after the etch and have had best results when using various paste polishes. Randall Graham always advocated staying away from paper after the etch as well. Even straight Flitz is a bit agressive and I've tried his trick of diluting it with mineral oil. Still it takes patience and a lot of experimentation before you get what you are looking for. Take notes too! You will often have to back up and redo various steps and it's nearly danged impossible to remember just what was successful and the steps to get there after the fact.
 
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