Etching 101: How To Etch Your Damascus Pattern Welded Blade

A follow up to the video "Damascus 101", taking you step by step through the process of etching a damascus blade after the forging and heat treating process.
My Website: firecreekforge.com
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[@sronnau99]

I’m here from you Damascus 101 video. Thank you for using the “mistakes” as a teaching tool for us. I’m so perfectionistic that I get mad at myself for mistakes, but you using that oversight to guide us will keep us from using that cold anvil!

[@bradymcphail9690]

I just found your channel, and I find it very hard to stop watching your videos! I am a knifemaker who has never been able to make a knife? I'm not in a place in my life where I can make knives or anything in my shop since I was electrocuted and pretty badly injured. I'm on my way in the right direction, so eventually I'll be in my shop doing my thing. In the mean time I'm watching and learning as much from people like you as I can. Thank you friend, thank you for sharing.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching, I hope you have a speedy recovery and can get out to your shop soon,

[@HoutmeyersP]

Very informative video again. About the ferric though. Do not just dilute it 1-4 or 1-5 since it comes in different strenghts. Some ferric chloride solutions are 20% some 40% and some even more depending on who is selling it to you. To get a clean etch that does not look raffled and coarse....dilute the ferric until it does not leave a mark on a scrap piece of stainless within a few seconds. If the ferric is strong enough to affect stainless that fast (most stainless steels have a nickel content that is 4-5 times higher than 15n20 has)....its also gonna eat the nickel in 15n20 fast. You do not want the 15n20 been eaten... only the non nickel contend steel. Once your mix is made only etch the blade for shorter periods(1-2minutes max) after every dip clean of the oxides in clean water with a brush. If you let the blade sit for much longer the oxides prevent the ferric from eating deeper into the blade....but the ferric will eat sideways. You will get a dirty looking etch and it takes longer to get deeper. If you polish the blade before you start the etching the etch wil look way cleaner...scratches become lines and magnified after the etch.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for the details!

[@danunger3240]

I use a very diluted solution of distilled water, heating up the water first to near boiling, then add the ferric. Funny story; the first time I etched a blade, I used a piece of coat hanger wire to hold the blade, while dunking in the solution. Couldn't figure out why my blade was getting a weird copper color to it. Didn't dawn on me, that the acid was eating the coat hanger(Dohhhh!). Now, I use monofilament fishing line. That copper color was pretty cool, though; just not what I wanted at the time. Might have to do it on purpose in the future, though.

[@nateand3]

Those are gorgeous

[@dozernmike2423]

Great video. Thanks

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@iltark6776]

"The most concentrated ammonia solution works the best." He says while spraying it all over his hands. 9:02 Aside from that, thanks for the tips :)

[@MbahAlif]

👍👍👍👍Saya dari indonesia menyimak bang🙏🙏🙏😊

[@steveschlobohm5793]

How do you put your maker mark on the blades? you use the same acid over a template or something of that nature? I have seen you do it in the past but did pay that close attention I guess. Good video, fun to watch! Stay safe my friend

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks Steve, yes i use a stencil and electrical etching with electrolyte. Have a good one!

[@jimpartridge9634]

Why not use a buffing wheel in place of the toothbrush?

[@FireCreekForge]

I use 800 or 1000 grit sand paper nowadays.

[@mikker32]

How ab limewater to stop the etching?

[@FireCreekForge]

I assume that would work, I've never heard of it used for that

[@msblades5382]

Nice shatoiance.. if that's how its spelled.. Martin

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, got a little bit on these.

[@alexscrudder4937]

"Do as ya otter, add acid to water."

[@cuspurs]

I have no idea how does one spray amonia indoors and on hands constantly and just keeps on rolling. Did not sound like talking through gas mask. Is that the same amonia I know? Because mine will kill a moose if you're persistant enough.

[@FireCreekForge]

This ammonia is the household/ window cleaner variety

[@user-xv1ko6gb2b]

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