Quick etching question

[tueller]

Hey guys,

If I already stripped my bk16, is it too late to etch the logos? The problem is that I give it a light sanding after use and the logos are slowly disappearing. Not a big deal but it kind of bothers me since I like sporting the Becker love. Can I strengthen the logos via etching eventhough I already stripped it?

Thanks.

 

[granitestateofmind]

You can always etch the logos, but nuw that you've stripped it, it's going to be WAY more difficult to get them to look good. Any etching technique requires "resist" where you don't want to etch, which is what the coating provides. In order to etch those logos, yer gonna need to color in a resist mask around each letter.....imo not worth the effort. Of course you could paint your own design in fingernail polish or cut vinyl and customize it instead....I'll post up some links later when I'm not using tapatalk.

 

[tueller]

That's what I was afraid of. Prob won't bother. Thx for the quick reply. BTW your sheath served me well clearing out some brush on fri. The 9 prob was the better choice for the project but i opted to have some fun with the new toy instead. The 9 deserved the rest.

 

[DeadEyeIce]

A little late to the conversation here but I have an idea that may help you out.

Take some Vaseline (spare me the wisecracks) and pack whats left of your etching. Gently clean the surrounding metal of any residue with a rag. Spray paint the surrounding area, preferably with a couple coats and allow to dry completely. Clean put the etching with some degreaser. Carry on trying to deepen the etching. I would recomend the electrochemical method myself.

If you have a steady hand you might could trace over the etching with an engraving bit and a dremel. I know personally my hand isn't steady enough not to botch it up.

 

[granitestateofmind]

You can always etch the logos, but now that you've stripped it, it's going to be WAY more difficult to get them to look good. Any etching technique requires "resist" where you don't want to etch, which is what the coating provides. In order to etch those logos, yer gonna need to color in a resist mask around each letter.....imo not worth the effort. Of course you could paint your own design in fingernail polish or cut vinyl and customize it instead....I'll post up some links later when I'm not using tapatalk.

Here's the link I was thinking of (or something to this effect):

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1164240-Etching-my-9-with-Celtic-pattern-for-St-Patrick-s-Day!-More-pics-added!

DEI's suggestion might also work, but I'd suggest rubbing the whole logo with crayon (wax) and then using something stiff and flat to remove the unwanted crayon before spray painting. Or you could just crayon around the logo, which might take a little more time but would eliminate a couple steps. Once you have the surrounding metal "resisted" with crayon, tape off the rest just in case and have at it with a 9 volt and some saltwater. It's still doable.

 

[DeadEyeIce]

I had not thought of crayon wax. That would work wonderfully to fill the logos while painting. After the paint had dried a hairdryer or heat gun could be used to soften and remove it fron the logos.