vinegar etching and permanent marker

C

cooper_luke_10

Joined
Dec 11, 2008
Messages
20
Hows everyone doing?
I've seen one or two threads where makers have used a permanent marker and a vinegar bath soak to put there makers mark onto their knives.

Could any one explain the process they use in detail?
I'm wondering how you get the pens ink off after the etch so that you don't ruin the etched part of the blade?
And also is etching the blade in vinegar providing any sort of protection to the blade or is it just for looks?

How well does this method mark the blade, is it going to rub or wear off at all?
 
Hello Luke, I use this method to mark my knives and here is how I do it.
1) Clean the blade with Isopropyl alcohol and a clean paper towel.

2) Now with out touching the blade, draw or write your mark, with permanant marker,
again with out touching the blade, set it down in your vinegar bath edge up or down doesnt matter as long as it's on edge and not sideways, for 6-8 hours.

3) When you take it out, clean it with hot soapy water and a soft or medium scrub brush.

4) buff with 4 ought (0000) steel wool for a satin look.

doing it this way will cause the mark to be raised or embossed on the steel and not sunken, you can reverse it and sink it by coloring in everything BUT your mark and submersing it in the bath. for a more professional look polish to a mirror then use these in my experiance the lines will be more crisp, the lines will be a little muddy with just writing or drawing it on. these letters can be purchased at just about any department store with a hobby or craft section. Also the vinegar will create a nice grey to black patina depending on the steel. It does help stain resistance to a point, since the patina is an oxide.

Jason
 
That's an interesting idea.... as far as protecting a blade, it would produce an oxide layer, and you would theoretically gain some protection. Keeping good care of the knife works best though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top