Etching Stainless??

Michael J. Spangler

Michael J. Spangler

Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
2,181
i've heard of stainless blades being etched. but i havent seen any finished products. is it possible? is it worth it? any preparation differen than carbon steels? different acids etc? i would like to try an etched finish on a 154-CM blade i'm working on, but figured i'd ask about it before i start messing around
thanks in advance
 
And I think Boye uses muriatic acid if I remember the description from his book right (it's been years since I read that, so don't quote me!).
 
Any acid on any steel should work. Or bases like ferric.. But depending on the strenght of acid, etching times, depth and final product differs. My advice, try different etchants, nitric acid, ferric cloride, hydocloric acid, muraitic acid, phosphoric acid, vinegar (it is tooo weak, you should wait days maybe) etc. Try what you have, it is fun really....


Best Fun
Emre
 
Michael, I etch CPM S30V all the time in Ferric Acid and it works good but takes longer than just plain carbon steel. Here is a few S30V blades I did with Ferric Acid. Ron
orig

orig

orig
 
Michael J. Spangler said:
i've heard of stainless blades being etched. but i havent seen any finished products. is it possible? is it worth it? any preparation differen than carbon steels? different acids etc? i would like to try an etched finish on a 154-CM blade i'm working on, but figured i'd ask about it before i start messing around
thanks in advance
Click to expand...


Mike when Lamont comes down with me to the H/I ask him , he does it all the time..on ss damasteel

coombs3.JPG
 
duncan I don't carry a lot for gut hooks but I do like that handle. ;)

hey is that a spot of blood in the last photo? :)
 
Etching is cool , I have only used F.C. which I understand is the safest of the acids , if you try the others be sure to be damn careful !! Gloves , eyewear and an apron are recommended attire. I learned thru this great place here that Windex is the handiest nutralizer , just spray on and walla!
I bought my F.C at radio shack , 6 bones a bottle.
 
all i can add Mike is that is how i etch my SS blades,for the patterns i do...works great!
 
4-1 what ? 4 FC to 1 water ? I have tried that , 3-1 , 2-1 and 1-1 , all seem to work , hot water seems to work better.
 
How long do you leave the blade in for ? I have had better results with this method. Etch for 5 minutes , wash , nuetralize , repeat , then etch for maybe 20 , wash , nuetralize. Seems to make almost a 'finish' on the blade.
 
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