Originally Posted By: B. Graham
....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.