WWII with a twist of lime

Mr.BadExample

Mr.BadExample

Joined
Sep 11, 2002
Messages
3,548
I gave my 1/2 price WWII the lime etch treatment. I sanded the finish down with a scotch brite pad and gave the brass fixtures a brushed finish while I was at it. Then I took the half of the lime that didn't go into my giant gin & tonic :D, and sponged the blade with it. First I punctured the lime a few times to get it juicy, and did a "stucco effect" on the blade, until it was entirely coated. I left the lime pulp on, and let it dry standing up.
The etch came out satisfactorily. There's a nice random pattern across the blade, but it disappears in bright sunlight (I'm sure I didn't sand enough of the finish off). I like it. In the right light, some patches are a brilliant blue-purple, like oil on water.
I'll probably let it etch longer next time. I want to see if I can expand the blue-purple effect.
The temper line did not come out, or the pattern is too mottled for me to see it. I may not have taken the finish off enough for it to show. Try, try again :) I tried taking photos but it's too sunny out. When the sun starts going down I'll try again.
The more I hold the WWII the more I like it. It's growing on me.
 
Sounds nice so far. Love to see how it looks. Try taking pictures in the shade, that helps sometimes.
 
Pics, we need pics! I want to see this and try it out myself sometime! You guys are extremely creative, that's why I love it here so much.
 
I just got done washing and waxing the car, maybe I'll crawl into a shady spot with the camera and a khukuri... or maybe I'll take a nap. :)
I highly recommend that everyone buy a 1/2 price special and play with it... etch it, customize the handle, try a convex edge, or any of the things you've wanted to try. These khukuris are very forgiving. If you don't like the etch, you just sand it off :)
As much as I like the magic stone finish, the khuks look GREAT with a sanded finish from a scotch brite pad. My UBE is like that because it got rust spots one day. I just sanded with the curve of the blade and the hand-rubbed finish really appeals to me. Great for worker khuks.
 
attachment.php


I gave my Gelbu Special a similar treatment several months ago, using lemon wedges instead of lime. I was very satisfied with the result. The blade has a smoky gray appearance from a distance. Up close the colorations are apparent and the temper line is clearly visible. The bright spot on the blade in this picture was caused by the camera flash.

I've also noticed that the blades I etch seem to be very corrosion resistant and clean up well after use.
 
What would etching do to brass? Was wondering because of the brass in the Sword of Shiva on my BAS and Chit.
 
I never tried it over an inlay, but it seems to darken the brass on the bolsters a little bit. You may want to experiment on a brass buttcap first to see what the effect is. That way if you don't like it you can polish it off without affecting the rest of the metal.
 
I have done the same sort of thing with warmed white vinager and lemon juice. Heated to about 110%F and soaked for 10 min or so. Let set and change for a half hour or so then rub the blade down with Mothers Mag polish. Rinse and Repeat about 10 times. Wonderful hamon appearance and interesting general colorations. A great project for a cool fall day.
 
Okay here's the photos.
I'm thinking of doing a vinegar soak to get the temper line, but I like the mottled pattern.
The new edge on it chops very well.

ww2%20khukuri%20etched%203.jpg


ww2%20khukuri%20pattern%201.jpg
 
I got my best results by doing the following:

First, wash the blade with hot tap water and soap.

Then rub thoroughly with lemon (or cotton ball soaked in vinegar); let it sit a minute, then wipe dry with a paper towel. Wait about a minute and rinse with hot tap water, wipe dry. The exposure to air seems to be the catalyst. Repeat this until you achieve the desired effect.

If you get more coloration than you desire, Mother's Mag Wheel Polish will remove it while leaving a slight patina and the temper line visible.

After you're done, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a half cup of warm water and wipe the blade down thoroughly with this solution. Then rinse again and coat the blade with whatever surface protectant you like best.

Federico wrote about this several months ago, I got the idea from him.
 
Originally posted by stripey357
I'm thinking of doing a vinegar soak to get the temper line, but I like the mottled pattern.
Click to expand...
First process the blade to bring out the hardening zones,
then go back and apply the pattern above the zone lines.
That way you can see both.

You can use the lime instead of vinegar.
If you add some dish soap to vinegar, lime, or any other etchant,
you can wipe or brush it on instead of dipping/soaking.

If you do this you have to keep moving/repeating;
but the benefit is that you can watch the etch develop
second by second.
 
Originally posted by raghorn .....if you get more coloration than you desire, Mother's Mag Wheel Polish will remove it while leaving a slight patina and the temper line visible.

After you're done, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a half cup of warm water
Click to expand...
I'm partial to using plain SoftScrub for cleaning the blade between treatments.
There are many similar 'calcium carbonate'/soap cleaners.

To deacidify, you can also rub in a paste of baking soda.
Just use a little water.
This is usually easier, faster, neater for me.

This paste is also a good cleaner, but not if you want to
let the etch develop in the air, as you suggest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top