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The Damascus Forum The art and study of Damascus steel making.

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  #1  
Old 07-01-2015, 04:59 PM
jmccustomknives jmccustomknives is offline
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etching problems with Damascus

I forged up a blade at the customers request. He wanted 52100 / 1095 as he intends to use this as a skinner and wanted maximum performance. The blade is around 260 layers. The problem is my 52100 was a little thicker than the 1095. In the ferric chloride the pattern is real weak. A most it's meh, not like the last blade I made for him.

Is there another etchant that might help to bring out the pattern better? I'll see if I can post a pic later.
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Old 07-01-2015, 05:16 PM
damon damon is offline
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I notices a better etch and contrast when I bumped up the vinegar percentage to a bit over 50%

don't know what you are using now.
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  #3  
Old 07-03-2015, 02:40 PM
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GHEzell GHEzell is offline
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52100 is basically 1095 with 1.5% chromium. Chromium tends to show up black in the etch, so I'm guessing you have a gray (1095) and black (52100) blade. For good contrast most smiths use 15n20, L6, or some other nickel rich alloy, as nickel greatly reduces the effect of the etchant, leaving a very bright layer. Also, 15n20 and L6 both make a fine blade by themselves, and will not significantly reduce the performance of the blade when used with other high carbon steels in damascus. In conclusion, you should have added 15n20 or L6 if you wanted good contrast, the mix you used will only have a subtle pattern.

Pure nickel and 203e (with 3% nickel, as opposed to 15n20 with 2%) are also used, with very dramatic results/contrast, but these will affect the performance of the blade if they are on the edge, as neither holds an edge worth a squat.

I would try a weaker mix of ferric chloride and a longer etch, or after a long etch rub the blade lightly with 1000+ grit sandpaper to brighten the high layers. You could also try a vinegar etch, or even strong coffee.


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Last edited by GHEzell; 07-03-2015 at 02:44 PM.
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Old 07-03-2015, 05:08 PM
jmccustomknives jmccustomknives is offline
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Thanks. I tried the vinager etch. It worked somewhat, but the patterning was weak. Like looking at a finger print. As sharp as it was, I'm not delivering that one. I expect better. lol.
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  #5  
Old 07-03-2015, 05:19 PM
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GHEzell GHEzell is offline
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Try the long etch followed by 1000+ grit sandpaper with a stiff backing before you give up on it. The sandpaper will polish the high points and give it some artificial contrast if you get the etch deep enough.


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A good friend told me one time about forging "What is there not to like, you get to break all the rules you were told as a kid, don't play with that it is sharp, don't play with fire, and don't beat on that"
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See some of my work.
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  #6  
Old 07-19-2015, 10:11 AM
jmccustomknives jmccustomknives is offline
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I tried the long etch, to no avail. The vinegar worked, but not all that well. After taking it back down to base I gave it many short etchings in Ferric Chloride. That did it. The watering was a little more delicate. Moral of the story, don't loose count of your folds.


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  #7  
Old 10-19-2015, 01:07 PM
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felizalde55 felizalde55 is offline
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Call it as marine island chart pattern.
Who does nothing, never makes mistakes.
We learn from our mistakes, not from our goals.
Do it as you want and try again. I like GHEzell advice about steels.
Regards.


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1095, 52100, advice, back, blade, carbon, damascus, etch, etching, forged, knife, made, make, pattern, polish, post, problem, sharp, show, skinner


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