I Left My Knife in Acid for 2 Years

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What would happen if you leave your knife in acid for longer than you were wanting? Well, we answer that question by leaving a knife in ferric chloride for what was supposed to be one week, but we forgot about it and left it in there for two and a half years! We thought it would be fantastic to show you what a knife blade looks like if it was left in acid for longer than you planned.
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#KyleRoyer #Knifemaker #Bladesmith

[@KyleRoyerKnives]

Don't forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter for knifemakers my mom puts together! Click the link: www.learnknifemaking.com/newsletter

[@shaggyspade2468]

You should forge them into a whole knife, or glue them together and frame them or something!

[@mizinoinovermyhead.7523]

As a heads up: Acid is a chemical reaction. The Acid lens part of its structure to the substance creating something new. In the case of metals it often donates a hydrogen+ atom. As such the reaction uses up both the metal and the acid. So an acidic reaction can only happen for so long as there is acid and metal for the reaction to use as food. IE thats why it didn't completely eat your knives, there wasn't enough acid to continue to fuel the chemical reaction.

[@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3]

Repent to Jesus Christ “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ J

[@Makis0007]

Now you can make another video with the same pieces and say based on carbon dating, it dates back to the period of Ice Age when Neanderthals roamed the earth. Trust me, all humans (AKA morons) will believe you. Our stupidity/fooliness is breathtaking. Also, please do carbon dating on those pieces (if you still have them) and see what it says.

[@graverobbn]

@@shaggyspade2468 maybe he could put the whole knife into one of the tubs and take it out for a reveal

[@Joe___R]

That long coffee etch might be worth doing to a full good knife. You most likely wouldn't need to keep it in once the water fully evaporated. It gave it a great look & what looks like some nice texture without being too deep. You could probably get a similar result after a day or two in ferric chloride.

[@cameronbartlett856]

The coffee etch was also my favorite. I would love a Damascus knife etched to such a degree that I can feel the etch yet still have a nice looking blade. I would want the blade to be slightly thicker though so it still has some strength though.

[@tech_of_steel20official]

I’d buy that even if it costed upwards of $5k

[@TheAlbaniaGaming]

@@cameronbartlett856 though though

[@RoarStaze]

@@cameronbartlett856 Though I was thinking the same thing though

[@RoarStaze]

@@TheAlbaniaGaming though though though though

[@jblen]

This is so much cooler than a week could've possibly been. It went from a fun one off video to something with real vitality potential. There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.

[@breakawaybooks4752]

Unsurprised they didn't completely eat up the pieces, for there's only so many atoms to go around. If you put them in a higher volume of acid, it would completely eat them up, in probably far less time.

[@butsukete1806]

A bit of heat and circulation also speed up the process.

[@emilflognoid1532]

Thanks Cliff from cheers…

[@fufc1231]

Probably would if it was sealed up

[@Theactualcurrentsea]

@@emilflognoid1532 - 😂wonder if any of the newer gen kids will get this.

[@zhanucong4614]

Yeah but it probably lost power over time

[@youtubeSuckssNow]

The ferric chloride would be an awesome way to finish a blade that long. Make the blade have a bit of extra thickness so there's enough material there to keep the strength. Coat the bottom 1/4 in clay or something impermeable to protect it. So it will still be usable. It'd be a one of a kind for sure.

[@supergodzilla3]

The ferric acid looks like something that's taken dragon fire or something

[@modjo4]

This is awesome, there should definitely be more tests with a longer but reasonable etch, like instead of 2 years, etching it for 2 or 3 months.

[@stegles]

@@osirisatot19 I think the point is more that using different etching liquids for different durations. Obviously the acid was too strong, but could you achieve the same results from a strong acid vs coffee or ferric chloride but with a shorter duration, or if you wanted a really tactile and deep etch? Further more, would doing this with copper Damascus change the result, ie would the copper dissolve more or less etc? Very interested to see more tests on this, as much as I like to see finished blades, kinda hoping for a few scrapped ones to see this used on.

[@nolondon]

@@stegles Ferric chloride is used to etch circuit boards(which are made with a copper substrate). it eats through copper VERY quickly

[@b33sma11]

imagine buying knifes that have been barrel aged like whiskey......macallan 25 year damascus steel.....

[@sanguinetales]

@@b33sma11 It would have to be a dummy thicc blade to survive that long under the right conditions but it would have to be a display piece only

[@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist3]

Repent to Jesus Christ “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ J

[@wazscience]

I like the deep etching effect caused by the ferric chloride. It gives it a very cool look. I wonder if you could make a knife with that kind of texturing.

[@_aullik]

I honestly love the instant coffee result. Seeing how the coffee dried out fast, I wonder if you could achieve that in a week or two. It would make for a great textured pommel nut.

[@100GTAGUY]

Now that's how you end them rightly, with a textured pommel

[@b33sma11]

4:11 chatoyant-having a changeable luster or color chatoyant • \shuh-TOY-unt\ • adjective. : having a changeable luster or color with an undulating narrow band of white light. i learned a new word and its use thanks!!!!

[@KyleRoyerKnives]

Spectacular. Keep Forging On my friend Dad

[@redbearworkshop3219]

Personally I think the coffee etched piece looks amazing, the other two look cool as well, like someone dug them up. It's pretty funny that you forgot about your experiment for two years, stuff like that happens lol.

[@Phuc_You13]

The title made me think he meant psychedelics then I seen the thumbnail and I just thought “damn that knife is tripping balls” if it turned that color

[@juniorauelua]

@@Phuc_You13literally same. 😂

[@vikingslayer34]

Pretty cool! Have you ever tried etching in vinegar? I tried it on a knife i have and it turned it black. It isn’t pattern steel, but it looked cool. Just wondering if anyone ever tried it?

[@arthurmorgan5335]

It worked, thanks for the advice. Looks cool

[@myriadmyriad7209]

You rock

[@bobbiscub]

This is freaking cool! You should experiment with longer etching cycles!

[@somethingapproaches64]

10 years later: "Special shoutout to jess carroll, who, 10 years ago, gave me the idea to do even longer etching cycles!"

[@69sound81]

Amazing, I guess ferrocloride acid should be great in a shorter span. Like weeks, maybe a couple months. You defenitely ran out of reaction, so puting the damascus in fresh solution after certain time should help get faster results. You can also get that eaten up look with bleech, not sure if it will make any colour contrast, but texture will absolutely pop in no time, a weekend should be enough to get very interesting results

[@cae2487]

I personally thought the piece you pulled out of the coffee etch looked the best. It almost had that etched wrought iron wood grain look to it and the deep grooves looked very interesting. I know you didn't use a lot of the acid in those tubs but having that muriatic acid out in the open in the shop is scary to think about. Have you had any steel tools that have rusted without reason in the last two years? If so it's probably because of the muriatic acid. I've seen/heard of some horror stories concerning leaking or left open containers of muriatic reeking havoc on steel in the area near it.

[@bobjohnson8970]

"Wreaking" not stinking

[@fixitallpaul4847]

Same why I dont charge batteries in the shop

[@cae2487]

Weird.....I thought I was just watching KZbin videos, I didn't know I signed up for online English classes. I feel bad for all of the people who won't get the point of what I wrote because a word got auto corrected to the other spelling.

[@lewisholmes5745]

@@cae2487 Yeah I have the same problem with the auto correct and it drives me nuts! 💯👍

[@gandalf2288]

Insect: Oh no my home is gone. 3:09

[@predatorinc9924]

A "For Science" series could be very interesting. You make some really incredible blades and it would be cool to see you discover or re-discover new techniques.

[@lillarryenticer2835]

Hell nawww look at that posture whene he was wire wheeling at 5:08

[@IrisXen]

That goblin merchant posture

[@wildcat20021]

You absolutely have to do a "Davey Jones' Sword" style saber, with an insanely deep etch like the Ferric Chloride. not for as long obviously, but a few months to give it a beautiful weathered look

[@smokestax24]

So hear me out. Loved the pattern from the coffee soak. Amazing how it can look and still have a great chance of being functional. The second one, in my opinion, is jaw dropping. Although it does appear that it could be fragile due to the deep etching. I honestly would make a show blade and go with an Army of Darkness of zombie theme for it. Purely decorative. The final one surprised me. Understandably would not hold up to any use because of the extreme pitting but could it still be used to make another billet?

[@TyrellKnifeworks]

I would have bet the knives in the ferric and muriatic acid would be completely dissolved! I guess with a small volume of acid it equalized over time. Great video!

[@shortyynahh]

03:52 the fuck is that posture

[@theodorington]

He’s focusing and trying to look at what’s going on do he doesn’t cut his fingers off

[@maqywhaq]

Awesome display of a positive attitude~ Messed up pretty bad, but there's plenty of learning to be had despite it(even if it's not something practical/applicable to regular knife making).

[@ARcinder]

The extreme peaks and valleys on the second blade piece could have a lot of potentials. Make a blade extra thick and then etch it for a bit and you might have a very interesting knife.

[@darrenhobson2244]

The first one you could use as a inlay on a handle or something the last one is just a testament to you're skill so early on in recognising faults and why you're work is so high standard. Interesting to. Thanks

[@tatecrossette2855]

2:50 The last 2 are just cursed brownie trays

[@duttonjones6205]

You should put the knife back together in a clear resin block! That would look cool!

[@r1ce04]

0:09: but life happened and we forgot about it *relatable*

[@benr8772]

Very interesting textural results. I could certainly see some experimentation into aggressive over-etching. It might not result in usable blade stock, but we use all sorts of cool materials in handles, fitments, sheathes, etc. Thanks for sharing this awesome "failure!"

[@kassiog.6595]

if you make the blade wider than the desired dimesions, it might work

[@brianlawson3757]

I also see some aesthetic value in what we got to see in this video. It might not make for a great blade, but as bolsters with something else rough like Elk antler, I could see that working as a wow factor in a finished piece.

[@benr8772]

@@kassiog.6595 I was thinking in terms of practicality vs strength. As an example, I'm mid-way thru a farrier's rasp bowie build requested by a friend. It's a cool look, but I wouldn't want to try to keep it sanitary as a kitchen utensil, or clean it after a messy job because of all the remaining rasp teeth. Same applies to the deep striations and holes that we saw in Kyle's over-etched damascus.

[@kassiog.6595]

@@benr8772 i was thinking more in a exhibition piece that's also funcional, like most of Kyle's work, they will do the work, but they are so good looking that noone would use them for something messy

[@keeganstuart1372]

2:29 when the teacher is asked when she'll mark our assignments

[@robbie3068]

The one time that I can agree that you forgetting this was a thing was pretty cool!

[@wojtekpolska1013]

honestly i'd put these 3 pieces together in a frame, they look sick, and i think would make an interesting decoration to hang on a wall for example

[@2112theoden]

You should make a patern welded seax then put it in the acid for just a year or so. It will come out looking like an archaeological find. Raven armoury has the option for having the blades aged to what ever condition you require. It would be interesting to see that process done. Take the blade out every month or so. So you can see the progression of the aging process.

[@nathan-qcueparsons268]

You should definitely frame and wall mount that,truly a worthy storypiece for a craftsman.

[@lewisholmes5745]

I'm not a knife maker myself, so this was very informative and educational for me. So I subscribed to your channel! Thanks! 💯👍 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱🤠👋

[@AndrewReuter]

“And then life got in the way.” BEEN THERE! 😂👏👏👏👏👏

[@lnterIinkedd]

i saw all this im the cricket at 3:25

[@j_edwards6075]

I remember there was an Aussie knifemaker that forgot about his low layer damascus in the ferric chloride for a few days and it had completely eaten away at the high carbon steel to the point there was nothing left but only the stainless the held the skeleton form of the blade.

[@memer_man]

3:00 forbiden brownie

[@matthewpimentel1391]

4:47 This really reminded me of the Glavenus from Monster Hunter. His tail looks very similar to this texture, especially so when you start to polish it up

[@v3xx3r]

The coffee one looks amazing you should make a knife with a super long coffee soak.

[@boomkruncher325zzshred5]

If all you need is a strong acid to etch the Damascus pattern, what about a long-term etch in lemon juice? Directly squeeze and filter the lemon juice so there’s no pulp or added sugar, and let the natural acidity make a long-term etch like the coffee did!

[@jimcorbett3764]

That was really interesting- for some reason I kept thinking of human bones when you were pulling the blade pieces from the dishes. the one in muriatic acid looks like a topographical map. Cool!

[@rickwilliams967]

It's really great that so many people make videos of themselves completely wasting or destroying perfectly useable things.

[@Tge97]

Legit nobody noticed the huge ass bug when he was looking at the coffee one at 3:30

[@popsmaellard725]

where?

[@Small_Schlonng_9000]

Where

[@CobaltTheBored]

I just imagine someone trying to make a prop or something for a old withered sword by using a method like this, leave the blade in acid for little over a month, then see if it makes the metal seem old and unkept while just having had the rust removed to reveal all thats been eaten away. Just seems cool in concept, I don't know if such a method would actually work or be effective.

[@danzigrulze5211]

The real question is, how much of that is just corrosion through oxidization? Either way, I think this was a pretty cool experiment and the video definitely deserves a like.

[@johnwilson2338]

Oops 😬! But very interesting results. I used white distilled vinegar on one of my store bought knives and apple cider vinegar on another. Both were made of high carbon steel and the etching results for both were more amazing than I had anticipated. The white distilled was somewhat, but noticeably superior to the apple cider vinegar. But they both worked. And gave both blades a nice semi-matte dark etching and Definitely brought out the grain structure of the steel. Not as cool as the sweet patterns that several of you lovely blacksmiths/bladesmiths on KZbin have shown me over the years, which has fueled my interest in the craft by multiple degrees with each one I view! 👍🤙🤞🖖✌️

[@BladeShowMan]

Ujjain>

[@beezo2560]

Very cool science. I always wondered what would happen during a super long etch. Good stuff Kyle. Go Team Royer!

[@jstutzman1301]

The Ferric Acid blade section would make interesting handle scales for a fixed or folding knife.

[@learningtoforge9359]

I’d be curious to do the chloride etch on a pre-made billet/blank over a 1-2 year period, then grind the edge back to see if you can make it useable. Instead of a “smith’s finish”, call it the “pirate” finish technique. Especially on a mosaic Damascus piece. That would be interesting to see.

[@Yourname942]

5:48 looks like dragon scales or fossilized dinosaur skin

[@twalsh29]

Kyle, I would love to see you make something and deeply etch it like the part that was left in ferric chloride. That look could become the theme of the whole piece. Some ideas would be making a curvaceous cult dagger in black, blue, and pearl. Or maybe a cursed pirate dagger. OR… a wicked looking kris sword or dagger with that deep etch and black and red accents, like a demon sword. Maybe set a few dark garnets and jets in it. You could forge weld some metal for the guard and twist it to look like tormented horns.

[@Bacon8t0r]

That coffee piece almost looks like a wood grain, thats fascinating and idk why

[@WDCallahan]

I love how @2:17, he says hydrochloric acid and then corrects himself to muriatic as if that doesn't mean the exact same thing. 😂

[@cappedu1]

The deep etching from the ferric chloride Would look awesome on Axe Head especially if you find a wood grain to match the Damascus pattern.

[@frisky_dart7273]

7:18 ya that is some really weird shituff…

[@GantaaOhime]

That excessive acid damage really makes quite a wonderful raw wood style, but metal. Surely there is a use for that, if not a little impractical for normal production

[@Theactualcurrentsea]

Man, I was sitting here watching this to take my mind off my crappy JOB. You mentioned changing from Goat herder to knife maker and I started thinking, “just because I love this kind of stuff, doesn’t mean I can’t make it a CAREER”. Somehow, in the sands of time, my brain was, incorrectly, taught work would always be something I didn’t enjoy. A lot of wasted time to make up for. Thanks Man

[@KyleRoyerKnives]

Hey Current I hear you my friend. You are where you need to be. Sounds like you are getting ready to make some changes in your life. We are in your corner. I’ve got a dollar that says your current job is very important to all of us in different ways. Give your best no matter where you are or what your doing. You can do it. I’m so glad you posted today. Reach out to us at [e-mail] and let us know how it goes with you. If we’re able to help just give us a shout out. It’s absolutely possible to redeem the days. We’re excited to see your path as you go. May God bless you my friend. Dad

[@griffin6938]

I think you could make a really cool piece if you cast it in clear epoxy and framed it. Really cool patterns and pieces nonetheless!

[@eugenesis8188]

I worked in a place that etched small metal parts in ferric chloride. This video is giving me ptsd of everything I brought in, along with most of my skin, being stained orange constantly. Idr if we used muriatic acid, but definitely did hydrochloric and nitric acid as well. I'm kinda surprised there was anything left, but I went through a 55 gallon drum of ferric chloride every other day, and it'd start losing its potency very quickly while etching very tiny amounts of metal. The coolest thing we did there was dip full coke cans inside of one of the acids, and it would eat the aluminum, but not the plastic lining of the can, so you'd just have a bubble of soda left.

[@eugenesis8188]

Oh wait. We used muriatic acid to clean the ferric off everyrhing, if I remember correctly. It was in powder form.

[@116Cryptic]

What the heck just happened for some reason I thought the title said “I left my kindle fire in acid for 2 years”. Not sure what happened there but the title got me well done

[@LovelySharkHero]

Why did I read the title of the video as "I left my child in acid for 2 years"💀💀💀

[@Snibbith]

Damascus Blade (All Pieces) Weapon Stats: DMG: 16,274 CRIT: 574.04% CRIT RATE: 78.34% Weapon Buffs: Acid Infused: Inflict 378% burning DMG when a successful CRIT occurs. Weapon Debuffs: Acid Droplets: When equipped with this weapon inflict 9.8% of your current HP for every successful CRIT. Weapon Skin: Carbon

[@jakekunz5168]

My TV in the early 2000s on a non-existent channel:

[@sebastianbass946]

Now you could try and connect the pieces and form a very unique looking and functional knife.

[@EzeePosseTV]

You should run the pieces over a buff polish to bring out the metallics and then encase them in a clear resin, mount it on a wood plinth for displaying on your shelf. Just an idea though.

[@isaiahwilson8273]

Ok I ain’t gonna lie I saw this thought it was dope af then watched it then got curious what it would look like if u was to put it back tg as a full knife and they all have a different textures think that could be possible. 😅 I don’t know anything about knives but could you ?

[@genryuusai]

The coffee etch still looked fantastic and usabl!. The ferric chloride piece looked awesome in its own way; but rather for a purely decorative object.

[@RCDEPENDANT]

Put it in a framed display case for wall art! I think it would make an excellent conversation piece.

[@brandonbanks4394]

When I saw the picture and pattern on the blade it reminded me what is was like to take acid for two years.

[@LuminaryCursorem]

You should make a card knife out of the ferric chloride. Like a sharpen one side so it will keep that ruff side and make a single bevel edge.

[@matthewmontgomery3693]

That ferric chloride treatment seems like it would make a great pattern for Ork / Uruk weaponry in LOTR.

[@Napoleon.Blown.Aparte]

The second and third parts look like tree bark. A very cool pattern, also with that relief... super nice

[@Thalatash]

The thumbnail for this video looks like one of those "Magic Eye" pictures that were really popular in the 90's. The ones with the hidden 3d image in it if you crossed your eyes just right. Pretty cool, man.

[@paccySWE]

Put them side by side like they were before breaking them apart and frame them, awesome wall decoration!

[@ANTlmagic]

I been up all night and I swear I saw “ I left my knee in acid for 2 years” I’m going to sleeeeep

[@ToyotaGuy1971]

Kyyyle. The Kyle man. Makin' coff-ee'. Dippin' blades in the coff-ee'. Kyle the coff-ee' knife-guyyyy. Playin" with ac-iiiiiid.

[@zefellowbud5970]

im new to the channel so i was skeptical at first of like 2 years? can't be but bruh the moment you revealed the containers with the acid dried up like that and those blades holy shit. thats kinda nutty. in any case cool video.

[@ogloc6308]

the second one looks like etching you’d find on an old worn Javanese kris. very cool

[@southwestndn8401]

“Original plan was to leave it for 1 week but time flown by and life got out of hand and it’s been 2 1/2 years now” sounds like something my dad should say

[@Skellitor301_VA]

One idea you can do is recreate this with the intent of completing and sharpening the pieces. Have some cool abstract blade that shows deep etching and finish

[@davy-jonesdevil-fruit7606]

Just me, or, does the blade not look like it has somewhat of a wooden/woodgrained/hardwood/wood-stained look going on? Which btw, the wooden look, of any of the variations listed above, are my favorite aesthetic touches on everything from car interior, furniture, guns,appliances, and I may be missing somethings but you see my point. So basiaclky I am a big fan of the result of the "coffee and acid stain" knife.

[@seanurbanczyk4049]

Impecable posture while using that wire wheel

[@agentham]

All I could think this whole time was "Wow, that's pretty neat!"

[@NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNope]

I would have them cast in acrylic that way it will preserve what is left of it. Just in case it breaks down any further.

[@bj_slayz7918]

2:00 I’m sorry but I don’t think homie understands how chemical exposure works🤣😭🤣😭

[@colinkobel2868]

The coffee etch is my favorite! Pretty cool experiment.

[@kindastealthy8210]

I would be extremely interested to see what would occur if this was done in a more controlled environment. For instance a maintained solution say like 90 days or even 6 months.

[@Abya_Pabya]

My favorite one is probably the coffee one. It looks like it was professionally done

[@Seeds-Of-The-Wayside]

That coffee one actually looks very visually pleasing on camera

[@sabedisc]

The ferric chloride piece looks like a piece of Viking forging from the museum!

[@juggernautstyle3944]

That caffein etched blade looks absolutely amazing

[@Kittsuera]

i liked the coffee etch. that would look real good on a full blade. not too deep that it would affect the performance and cleaning maintenance.

[@qawsedrfyu]

The thumbnail had me thinking you gave your knife tabs of acid for 2 years 😵‍💫

[@Xurnalea]

it would be cool to cast these in a clear resin mold shaped like the original knife/something similar! im not sure if you dabble in that kind of stuff, but those pieces would make for a sick "cooled down molten rock" look

[@midvvolf]

Saw thumbnail, read "knife on acid 2.5 yrs," all in

[@quakxy_dukx]

Looks like steel driftwood. Really cool

[@kebman]

The first one was EPIC. Would love to have a knife etched like that, if only for parade use. I bet you can feel the grooves in there.

[@kakerodark1397]

Good for this dude, that he didn't forget it

[@BradKandyCroftFamily]

This would actually be really neat to do with decorative pieces for walls or something. I preferred the coffee etching, personally.