Stonewashed vs Acidwash

[trackstar55]

I have a general idea on the differences, but see that Acidwash option costs a little bit more.

Is there a big difference? Preferences?

 

[Bob Denman]

I just wipe my blades off on the leg of my jeans...
Seriously: I never saw much difference between the two. I sort of figured it was 2 different ways to get to the same place.

 

[shane45-1911]

Acid washing is a chemical etching process.

Stone washing is a mechanical (tumbling) process.

Both methods produce a relatively similar result, visually.

 

[trackstar55]

one substantially enter

Acid washing is a chemical etching process.

Stone washing is a mechanical (tumbling) process.

Both methods produce a relatively similar result, visually.

one substantially better or just a preference?

 

[Mister Coffee]

I just wipe my blades off on the leg of my jeans...

So, is that leg washed or jean washed?

How do they do mirror stone washed like on the Slysz Bowie?

 

[shane45-1911]

one substantially enter


one substantially better or just a preference?

Just preference.

I have found that acid washing is a little more durable as it actually penetrates a few microns into the blade, whereas stone washing is just a surface finish.

I like both methods on a hard working knife, as it hides the inevitable scratches and scuffs that will result from use. Then again, I like seeing a working knife with the visible scars to show what it has been through.

 

[Bob Denman]

So, is that leg washed or jean washed?

How do they do mirror stone washed like on the Slysz Bowie?

The leg DOES get washed...
By the way: what Month is it?
But the knives usually consider themselves to have be poorly-used...

 

[Knives&Lint]

As Shane said above, Acidwashed is chemically etched, I would just add that it is typically then stonewashed as well. That would explain any price difference, as both blades are stonewashed, but the acidwashed goes through the aditional process of being etched first.

Acidwashed will also be darker due to that process, whereas stonewashed will just have the general color of steel. Similarly, some blades are coated and then stonewashed, like the ZT "Blackwashed" finish, which is darker still.

As for the mirror stonewash, I'm not certain, but I assume the process perhaps involves giving it a mirror finish prior to the stonewashing process. I know with Hinderer, the "Working Finish" is bead blasted, then stonewashed, giving it a less reflective finish than the typical Hinderer stonewash.

EDIT: I should add that there are some good tutorials out there on YouTube on how to acid/stonewash, which would gives you a visual explanation of the process.

 

[Bob Denman]

I wonder if anybody could take a "working finish"; and give it a mirror polish?