Vinegar Etching Question

J

JMFWSU

Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
181
Hi,

I have a full tang knife with a o-1 blade and paper micarta slabs. I wanted to try a vinegar etch to darken the steel. Can I just put the whole knife in vinegar so it gets the exposed tang? How long should be enough, and what's best to neutralize it (I've heard milk before).

Thanks,
Jason
 
I would think vinegar (acetic acid) wouldn't harm the micarta. After the etch, wash it well and scrub it with baking soda.Soak in a gallon of water with a half cup of baking soda for 5 minutes. That should get any acid that has penetrated the handle. Rinse well with running water, dry very well, and oil well.
Stacy
 
Would alcohol wipes work for cleaning the blade ahead of time? Thanks again,
Jason
 
I tried a vinegar etch on a knife for the first time earlier this week. I didn't really like the result, so I sanded it off. I had washed the knife with dish soap prior to the etch. I did get a bit of a line along the differential quench line, but it was all real spotty and the color wasn't even. Any suggestions on how to ensure an even etch that's not splotchy? How long do you leave it in? Warm/hot vinegar or room temp? Buff, sand, polish?
 
Warming the Vinegar should produce a stronger darker coat, washing with alcohol is a necessity, stirring can help, bubbles forming on the blade can cause spotty appearance.
 
make sure it's degreased, 50/50 vinegar& hot water

let it sit until it oxides, take it out, rince in water, then I use semichrome or flitz--remove the oxide, repeat untill you get the desired result
 
Thanks so much for the help. I just finished and its perfectly uniform and shows off the quench line. I let it get a dark grey.

Jason
 
forgive my ignorance, in the past I always used ferrichloride. Are you guys talking about wjite vinegar? A much cheaper alternative :D
 
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