RyanW Turner SanMai Chopper WIP

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

Etch it NOW!!!

OK just kidding but I can't wait. Looking good Ryan!

 

[Carl_First_Timer]

Thanks for sharing. I am imagining a beautiful blade inside that San Mai waiting to come out.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

You are much more patient than me Ryan. I would have "accidentally" dropped it in the FeCl tube a long time ago.

 

[tryppyr]

No accidents in the shop!!!

Save the etching for after HT and final sanding. Whatever you reveal in this etch will change anyway, so why bother? Okay, okay... it won't change MUCH, but it will change.

Bet even more patient... do things in the proper order, and save the surprise reveal for the appropriate time. The mystery of mixed metals is part of its appeal.

- Greg

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Bet even more patient... do things in the proper order, and save the surprise reveal for the appropriate time.

Reveal??? This is not Extreme Makeover Greg!

We want etch, we want etch!

PS: Got a sneak peak in chat yesterday. :thumbup:

 

[RyanW]

Haha Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Greg I usually do the quick etch to keep myself positive on these SanMai pieces, but fortunately I can see the Core without the etch. So you all are the ones left hanging. Mike did an amazing job on this billet.

The UPDATE:

A quick photo of the blade fresh out of HT. The CruForgeV called for 1500 – 1550 F and quench in Oil, I am using 11 Second which should be just right from my research. I took it up to 1535 F and soaked for 5 minutes then smoked up the place! It came out pretty straight, made a few small adjustments on interrupted quench.

Here is a close up where you can see the Core peeking through the Wrought Iron.

After cleaning off the quenchant It went into the oven for two 1 Hr. tempering cycles: 425F & 450F which should put it right around HRC 58.

Then to the grinder to take the edge down to final thickness, With bare hands and frequent water dips to make sure I don’t ruin the temper.

Here is the blade after a bit (SIGH) of hand sanding to 220 Grit… Getting pretty excited for the etch later today or possibly tomorrow, Patrice try to compose yourself

Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment, or ask questions...

 

[Carl_First_Timer]

That is looking good already. Can't wait to see how much it pops after etch.

 

[RyanW]

Thanks Carl!

 

[Shaw Blades]

That's going to be fantastic! I much prefer san mai over damascus. Nice touch adding the forged texturing back into the blade.

 

[JGguns]

It's gonna look fantastic!

Have you decided on the handle wood yet?

 

[jwalk84]

Looks great!

 

[RyanW]

Thanks Jwalk!

That's going to be fantastic! I much prefer san mai over damascus. Nice touch adding the forged texturing back into the blade.

I really like SanMai as well. Some people don't care for the Brute De Forge look, but in a big chopper I couldn't resist.

It's gonna look fantastic!

Have you decided on the handle wood yet?

I have been losing sleep over the handle material, I know I want to go with a Black and White contrast to compliment the SanMai / Wrought Iron. I have a few ideas on paper and will be reaching out to some great Wood sources today!

 

[P. McKinley]

Thanks Jwalk!
I know I want to go with a Black and White contrast to compliment the SanMai / Wrought Iron.

Moose antler(I have more than I know what to do with!!) and Blackwood would do the trick! :thumbup::thumbup:

Ryan , that's a fine looking blade. There's something about the handle shape that's very appealing.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

*Subliminal message to the Great Wood Source: Ryan needs the knife to be finished before the APRIL 12!!!*

 

[gregorio]

nice looking work in progress, thanks.

 

[RyanW]

Moose antler(I have more than I know what to do with!!) and Blackwood would do the trick! :thumbup::thumbup:

Ryan , that's a fine looking blade. There's something about the handle shape that's very appealing.

I don't think I have ever seen Moose Antler used? Blackwood is on the list for sure. I think I have it worked out as long as the "Supplier" is quick enough. haha.

*Subliminal message to the Great Wood Source: Ryan needs the knife to be finished before the APRIL 12!!!*

Thanks Patrice Thanks for the reminder.

nice looking work in progress, thanks.

Thanks Greg!

I got a bunch of unexpected shop time today

 

[RyanW]

*** Time for an Update ***

I have Hand sanded up to 600 Grit, I have experimented a little bit in the past and I find that my Makers Mark blurs a little when grit is less than 600. My theory is the etchant runs through scratches a little? Your guess is as good as mine.

My etch process:

1. Wash blade with HOT water and Dish soap, dry with paper towel, wipe down Mark area with Acetone
2. Tape Mark in place with Electrical tape, make sure to cover any area that may come in contact with the current. Making sure to press the tape firmly around the stencil Edges.
3. Attach Ground (Red Wire) to one of the holes in tang, I like to have the blade lay flat on table to avoid any wobble.
4. Apply appropriate etchant fluid to Felt, rub with finger to spread evenly along the pad, dab with paper towel to remove any excess fluid.
5. With Etcher on “Etch” Setting hold on mark for 1 minute. This time varies depending on the hardness of the material you are marking. Where this is Wrought Iron it is fairly soft.
6. Switch to “Mark” Setting Hold on for 5 seconds off for 5 seconds, on for 4 seconds off for 4 seconds and continue to 0
7. Turn off etcher remove stencil and spray blade (and stencil) with Windex (W/ Ammonia in it). Rubbing with Windex soaked paper towel.
8. Take blade inside and wash again with HOT water and Dish Soap
9. Light coat of gun oil over entire blade

Knife ready to be etched

Right after the etch

I then get the 600 grit paper again and sand the mark until it is crisp and clear.

I then continue up through the grits until I am to a Clean 1000 – 1200 Grit finish. I have had some success with only going up to 600 grit on Hamons.

Time to Etch this thing! Patrice you ready?

I use the Ferric Chloride found at Radio Shack Labeled “PCB Etchant Solution” this is full strength stuff. I keep a solution diluted 10 parts water to 1 part FeCl in a large plastic container. I also have a stronger solution (2 H20 / 2 FeCl) in a small bowl with some Dish Soap added (Thanks Mr. Wheeler).

My FeCl Etch Process: (Hamon’s I do a little differently) This process is a mix of other maker suggestions, personal experimentation and flat out superstition.

1. I wash the Hand sanded blade with HOT water and dish soap, on the side I have a container with Super hot water ready to place the blade in to keep the steel hot.
2. I then place the entire blade in the bottle of 10/1 solution for 30 seconds. Remove blade and rub with a cotton makeup pad saturated with the soapy solution.
3. Allow blade to sit in air for 30 seconds then place in hot water container to warm blade up again.
4. Repeat process until you have the look you want. With Damascus and SanMai (Especially Wrought Iron) I increase the time in the solution each cycle.
5. Thoroughly spray entire blade with 50/50 Ammonia and rub with paper towel
6. Wash hands and entire blade with Hot Soapy water
7. Dry off and apply thin coat of gun oil
8. Flitz polish with a cotton makeup pad

This is the blade after one of the Etch Cycles

This is the blade after etched and cleaned with Ammonia and Washed. The dark on the core is still covered with Oxidation so the contrast is more than it will be after Flitz polish. This always disappoints me. Haha

Here is the oiled up finished Etch

I am working on the handle design and materials.

I hope to get this done in time for OKCA!!! Getting Nervous.

 

[tedinatl]

That's looking fantastic, Ryan!

 

[Matt Brook]

Looking good.

 

[JGguns]

Oh my that looks sick! Can't wait to see some wood on that beast!