Ferric Chloride / etching help

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dillon6k2

Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
5
I'm new to this sight. I'm trying to etch a 1084 blade. Its been ground, heat treated cleaned and glass beeded. I cleaned it again and etched it with new ferric chloride. Three soaks first 15 min second 30 min third 30 min. I neutralized and cleaned with acetone between each soak. I wash off the black residue and the knife is still silver colored.

I'm trying to get a black finish on the blade. The 1084 was bought from NJ Steel Barron so I'm assuming its great steel. I"ve tried to list everything I did to reduce the amount of time that you need to help me.

Thank you very much for your help.
 
No need to neutralize and clean with acetone between dips. I generally wipe down the black oxidation with an old TShirts and hot water. You can do a coffee etch for a Dark finish. Mix instant coffee 8-10 X drinking strength and dip for 20-30 minuets. Then neutralize with windex, run under hot water, and finish with some light oil.
 
Thank you. Do you have any idea why its not getting the black color? Does the blade have to be polished before it gets the black color?
Thank you
 
I’ve only made a few Damascus and San Mai knives. My experience with 1084 and ferric etching returns a gray to dark gray color. I’ve achieved a darker/near black by using a coffee etch after a ferric etch. I don’t know how to do it with ferric.
 
Try diluting the FC with a bit of water. Just use a old tooth brush and Dawn soup to clean after the soaks. 30 minutes should have been plenty of time.
 
These are San Mai first etched in ferric, wasn’t what I hoped for so I did another few rounds of sanding, polishing, etching, and coffee. I was pleased with the ultimate result.
9EBE9088-00F0-4282-B5B2-D3DD754A5C9C.jpeg
0D45F4D4-2844-4130-9EE9-62FBEC6CFF86.jpeg
 
Thanks for your help guys. I'm going to try your suggestions. 3fifty7 your final black color is awesome.

Thank you
 
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