Pommel finishing question

[SDS]

Just a quick question to those of you who have made a damascus pommel for a knife. I am making a stag handled bowie using a stag taper and the pommel is damascus to match the guard. After everything is assembled and the final shaping is done to match the contours of the stag, how do you etch the damascus that you just shaped?

I'm trying to figure out how to etch the damascus without getting the stag in the ferric chloride. Is it just painted on or soaked in a shallow lid or something?

I figured I would ask instead of doing what I usually do. Usually I screw everything up and then come ask. After getting the answers I have one of those "DOH" moments. Just hoping to avoid the "DOH" this time.

Thanks,
SDS

 

[argel55]

Shawn paint the area you do not want etched (your stag) with finger nail polish. It will be a resist to keep it safe. Then after your pommel is etched just remove the nail polish with acetone. Suspend the stag into the ferric so it all will be covered. Ive even put tape around the handle then the red finger nail polish up to and over the edge of the tape so it won't bleed under the edge.

 

[SDS]

Thanks Mike. I had considered fingernail polish, I may have heard you mention it sometime, but wasn't sure so I thought I'd ask here.

SDS

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A better tip is to use CLEAR nil polish. Some stag has pores that allow the polish to wick up a bit, and can leave behind a slight pink color.