To Etch or Not to Etch that is the question

W

Will Leavitt

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
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Well a fellow maker and I were talking about etching blades to show the hamon/temper/differentially heat treated line. He said he quit doing it because when he heard Bill Moran say "I wish I never started that stuff."

I think a lot of forged blade buyers expect the blade to be etched if it's differentially heat treated. Most of my customers that don't want it are making their first custom or forged blade purchase.

Just thought I'd ask the assembled masses for their opinions.

To etch or not to etch?

Does etching affect the price of a knife on the secondary market? :p
 
Well, I really don't know about the effect on the secondary market, but IMHO etching the blade is as important as heat treating it. One way the customer can visually inspect whether the heat treating was done properly or not, is by inspecting the hamon.
 
If it's a knife that's going to be used, it doesn't matter much. The temper line will show on a handrubbed finish too, if you look close enough (different texture as the scratches are shallower on the harder surface). That's enough if you want to see how high you actually hardened the blade.
If it's a presentation piece, an etched/polished blade can add to the overall looks of the knife, especially when the hamon came out nice.
It all depends on the particular knife too, some knives look great with a hamon, other knives look great without.
 
On a straight steel blade I like to see the hamon,hardening line.
On Damascus blades,sometimes it looks good, sometimes I'd rather it not show up.
Like Flava said,it depends on the knife.
I really like a nice,squeaky clean bowie/fighter with a simple hardening line running the length of the blade.

Doug
 
I have seen blades that are grey from the etch. On smaller bladed knives this looks okay to me, but I don't care for it on large blades. I like the look of a blade that has been etched and then polished to the point that the hardening line shows well, but the blade still looks polished. I also like the look of a blade that has not been etched.

I guess that didn't help much.
 
I will etch to show a hamon, but most of my baldes are fully hardened, so etching doesn't do anything other than darken the blade:D
 
The hamon should be an esthetical consideration. In short show it if it will look good (e.g., it follows the profile of the edge), and do so in a way that enhances the overall appearance of the blade. Matt Lamey is a good example of someone who does a very good job at it. It goes much beyond etching.

On a user, it can be justified to do a quick etch, just as a way to deomstrate the way the HT was done, but personally it's not very important for me. On a display piece, revealing the hamon is important but is probably much more involved than a quick etch.

One thing I don't really care much for is the etching of simple quench lines that go straight from the choil to the back of the blade. These add nothing IMHO.
 
Will Leavitt said:
Well a fellow maker and I were talking about etching blades to show the hamon/temper/differentially heat treated line. He said he quit doing it because when he heard Bill Moran say "I wish I never started that stuff." :p
Click to expand...

Whether this is true or false, i'd be interested to hear the follow up. Like only hearing half of a thought.
David
 
I have done both all of the above on differentially hardened blades. If the Hamon is really unique then I like a subdued etch to show it off. If it is more plain then I may not do one at all. just depends on hat it looks like and my mood at the time.
 
In my opinion If it has a temper line ya might as well see it from across the room. Only exception is on a japanese sword where the polish brings out the hamon.
 
You guys tell me do not worry you will not hurt my feelings this knife when I got it was polished and you had to look to see the temper line. I etched it and I am very pleased how it came out. Ki usually etches his blades pretty dark and raw so I finished this one to look like the normal etch for him . I know there are not alot of Ki fans here.But I had a good example of to etch or not and wanted to hear your opinions . This knife is out getting leather will post better pics when it returns


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ShivaKi002.jpg

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Joe,
You did a nice job with that etch,you CAN see it across the room.
Lovely cocobolo/cocobola(which spelling is right,have seen it both ways?).
Can't wait to see with the new leather.
Thanks for posting. :thumbup:

Doug
 
Joe,
I think the etch does a lot for that knife. Now it can probably cut through machine gun barrels in one shot!
;)
 
Will, like they say "if you got it show it" "as long as you got it good". :eek: ;)

Joe, definitely better and you do a damn fine etch.

Think it's with an "O" Doug and it's one of my favorite woods if not my favorite.
 
JParanee said:
You guys tell me do not worry you will not hurt my feelings this knife when I got it was polished and you had to look to see the temper line. I etched it and I am very pleased how it came out. Ki usually etches his blades pretty dark and raw so I finished this one to look like the normal etch for him . I know there are not alot of Ki fans here.But I had a good example of to etch or not and wanted to hear your opinions . This knife is out getting leather will post better pics when it returns


BEFORE
ShivaKi002.jpg

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AFTER
ShivaKi007.jpg
[/IMG]
Click to expand...
I like that Spirit Blade. I am somewhat lukewarm..or cold... about the handles on some of Shiva's other models, but this ain't one of them.
:thumbup:
 
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