I'm leaving this one where it is for now. At the stage there have been about 25 rusting cycles, 5 etchings, and no logwood was used. I believe the use of logwood would have abbreviated the number of rustings required. Some state that logwood does nothing for the process, and others state it is essential for high contrast.
In general I find that to be an example of what is frustrating about this process. When starting out, we want to replicate a result, and research how to do so. Quickly we learn that the degree of process variability is high. This leaves a person with little choice but to test a foundation, and purposefully force ones own variability to end up with YOUR process, not someone else's.
This barrel is mine, I like the darker overall appearance which compliments a coin type finish of the action and dark brown furniture, so I'm holding here. The next things to tackle are better crevice tools, logwood boiling tank, and an improved photography environment.
