Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Etching out pattern in Damaskus blade

Does anyone know what to use to etch out a pattern in a damascus blade since I'm repairing the blade and didn't make it I can only assume its nickel iron, but when etching with nitric/sulfuric the whole metal gets etched and the layers are barely distiguishable (please forgive my English)

Yves Roldan
jeweler - Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico
2007

What are you using as resist material? Wax, vinyl adhesive tape, paint. Maybe you should try a diluted mixture of your acids (start with 80% acids/20% water) or change the sulfuric for hydrochloric t obtain a slower more controlled attack.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
2007

Try next webpage www.vam.ac.uk/res_cons/conservation/journal/issue31/damascus31/index.html(very good info on conservation of cast type damascus/Wootz/).If your object is of laminated sandwich type(iron/steel)then you can try to buy Angiers' book on browning of firearms, Firearm Blueing and Browning [on eBay , Amazon, AbeBooks] . There you can find many formulas for colouring damascus steel.Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2007

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: