Some years ago I sent Mr. Kearcher a set of damascus barrels that had loose ribs to be repaired and then browned. His browning was very good, brought out a good deal of pattern.
A few months after I got them back I noticed rust weeping out from under the rib. I called him and was told to scrub them down with baking soda. I asked, "Why, did you use acid flux?"
Never got a straight answer.
Eventually I sent the barrels to another barrel man who took them apart and found a good deal of corrosion forming in there. Had to have them redone. The pattern was not as pronounced but they aren't rusting either.
