Thanks Fred Rowe!

[McAhron]

I read your suggestion of using borax while heat treating using clay and i have to say its one of the best tips i've ever had the pleasure of benifiting from.I took 5 old practice blades and cleaned them up on the belt sander with 150 grit,I then heated them up and coated with borax and let them cool.Once cool i applied the clay(satanite) and quick dried them in front of the forge.I heated each to non-mag and quenched.I skipped tempering and cleaned them up with the 150 then a couple of passes with some 400 and then into ferric.first of all the clay stuck amazingly well(i clay coat all my forged blades but the clay never clung like this)I'm amazed!After etching i was surprised at how much more hamon definition the blades had.Fred thank you.Great tip

 

[moon59]

I'm lucky enough to live about twenty minutes away from Fred and stop over at his shop every couple of weeks or so.He's never to busy to answer my rookie questions and has been a HUGE help in taking my knifemaking to the next level.Very knowledgeable and good company.

 

[Fred.Rowe]

Really pleased that worked out for you.
Fred