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Forums10
Topics38,459
Posts544,990
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Most Online1,258
Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23 |
From my reading, knife makers use muriatic acid on bare damascus blades. Their methods produce fantastic contrast, without texturing the surface. They also use ferric chloride, depending on the blades material concentration.
What about that process makes it unsuited for damascus barrels? I don't see muriatic acid discussed as viable, but I do not understand why that is the case.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,462 Likes: 207
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,462 Likes: 207 |
Maybe it's too hard to get out of it's hiding places, or to "kill" it. Or maybe it does bad things to solder.
Mike
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,405 |
Though the acid will etch and show the pattern, it does nothing for protecting the metal finish like bluing would.
B.Dudley
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 194
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 194 |
OH! Come on people that name for Hydrochloric Acid went out of use the same time we stopped using leaches for high blood pressure.
The only lessons in my life I truly did learn from where the ones I paid for!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 212
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,463 Likes: 212 |
....Their [knife makers] methods produce fantastic contrast, without texturing the surface.... I think if the blades of decent 'damascus' knives are looked over and felt, there might be quite a bit of texturing. I have noticed stronger acids used to make rustic finishes, ferric chloride might be used quite diluted with multiple exposures and finishing to get to the desired look. Only thoughts and the pool acid could be diluted, but slower might be a bit better.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,992 Likes: 402
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,992 Likes: 402 |
Some browning solutions use Hydrochloric acid as well as Ferric Chloride. From the damascus knives I have seen it looks like they omit the browning and just etch. Some people pre-etch damascus tubes thinking it brings out the pattern better, I do not. I try to keep the etch to a minimum. My browning solution contains ferric chloride and I believe that the solution itself gives some contrast. I find browning to be a bit frustrating but rewarding at the same time.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23 |
Though the acid will etch and show the pattern, it does nothing for protecting the metal finish like bluing would. Good point. Once you etch off the bluing from the steel portion surfaces, there isn't much bluing left, depending on the iron/steel ratio.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23 |
Some people pre-etch damascus tubes thinking it brings out the pattern better, I do not. I agree with you. My browning solution contains ferric chloride and I believe that the solution itself gives some contrast. Do you mix your own, or buy off the shelf? If you buy, what do you use? I find browning to be a bit frustrating but rewarding at the same time. More than a bit frustrating.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23 |
....Their [knife makers] methods produce fantastic contrast, without texturing the surface.... Only thoughts and the pool acid could be diluted, but slower might be a bit better. I'll try some scrap, with varying dilutions, and see what happens. I've got a set now that's been completely blued, no pattern.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,850 Likes: 150
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,850 Likes: 150 |
OH! Come on people that name for Hydrochloric Acid went out of use the same time we stopped using leaches for high blood pressure. We still use the leaches here and muriatic acid is a common labeling for off the shelf stuff at stores like HomeDepot and Lowes DIY type stores. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Crown-1-Gallon-Muriatic-Acid/3024039It'll bring the pattern up as will most any acid. It'll etch as well just like any acid will. Some more & quicker than others. I still blue or brown and bring out the pattern w/a very weak ferric chloride dunk, rinse and wet carding betw rusting cycles. It's not fast but it's not a knife blade either.
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