Strange Splintering Effect in Hamon

[kuraki]

The easiest way to spot decarb is to etch in FC. Decarb will appear far lighter in color than either the hardened or unhardened portion of the blade. I'm in a habit of finish grinding after HT to 220 grit or so, and etching it, first to get a look at where the hamon is, but more to see that I've removed all of the decarb before spending time going to higher grits.

Sometimes you can see it on clean white metal because it looks slightly different than the surrounding metal, sometimes you can't. But it always stands out with a quick etch.

But I do think this is where your lines are coming from in the hamon:

 

[Don Hanson III]

I don't think we are seeing decarb on this blade. The lines are dark, not light. I also get this some (not every blade) and remove a fair bit of steel after heat treating.

 

[kuraki]

Good point.

 

[Jesse WW]

Just an update if anybody is interested!

Finally bit the bullet and just decided to etch with FeCl. Actually I’m very happy with how it turned out! Diluted 1:4, 12 seconds x3 then 6 seconds x3. Rubbed in between with a cotton pad and diamond polishing powder and Flitzed at the end.

I took better photos this time - it’s a nice sunny day so it was a much easier to snap a photo, compared to last time indoors at night.

The splintering I was referring to has pretty much disappeared, but the other lines all around the blade haven’t. Is this the Wootz effect you were referring to Don? I think the splintering effect may have been these same lines, but just stood out more in that area because it polished differently (if that makes sense).

 

[Maelstrom78]

What a nice looking blade!

I'm assuming that there is not a big gap between the guard and the blade on that last picture it's just how you are holding it.

Glad you didn't have to re HT.

 

[Don Hanson III]

The splintering I was referring to has pretty much disappeared, but the other lines all around the blade haven’t. Is this the Wootz effect you were referring to Don? I think the splintering effect may have been these same lines, but just stood out more in that area because it polished differently (if that makes sense).

Yes. & the blade does look a lot better now.

 

[mete]

Types like the FBI can sometimes read serial nunbers on guns that have been " removed " . yes the visible to the eye damage has been removed but the deeper damage may still be there and visible after special etching or more sophisticated methods is used . After all we can , with electron microscopes see cohesion , not something the naked eye can see.