Damascus Touchup??

[kyratshooter]

I have a Damascus blade that through wear and use has lost some of the contrast to its pattern.

Does anyone know if I can re-etch the blade using Mauriac acid and what to do after the etch process is complete and neutralized?

I have tried vinegar and it does not have enough punch to bring the contrast back.

[crashdive123]

Ferric Chloride is pretty much the standard. I'm sure there are other solutions out there, but I'm not familiar with them.

[kyratshooter]

I am debating on use of the ferric chloride. It is probably safer than having a gallon of brick acid sitting around in the shed and I don't forge blades any more so it would sit forever, or until some disaster occurred and it dissolved the shed.

Back in the olden days we used nitric acid but Homeland Security has just about made that stuff impossible for honest folks to get.

[Faiaoga]

Just a small correction, please. The correct term for the acid you are describing is "muriatic acid"(hydrochloric acid or HCl) that is probably readily available at hardware stores. The full strength concentration purchased for cleaning cement off tools is normally 37 % (very strong and dangerous), but it can easily be diluted - ask any chemistry teacher.
I hope you do not object to my posting this small correction.

[kyratshooter]

No problem, my typing was getting ahead of my spelling.

Muriatic acid is available from Home Depot, Lowes or any hardware store in the paint department.

Ferric Chloride is available from Radio Shack.

[kyratshooter]

OK I went to Radio Shack and got the ferric chloride, dodged the guys trying to sell me a Sprint phone plan, insulted one little dwebe into wisdom beyond his years, came home and completed this little project in about 20 minutes.

I poured the etchant into a glass bottle and stood the knife in the solution blade down with the liquid just touching the guard.

I checked it after 10 minutes and was not satisfied and after 20 minutes this is what I got. I do not have any "before" photos, but I assure you this is an improvement.

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[hunter63]

....And to think I used to buy 3000 ga tanker trucks of both Sulfuric and Muriatic acid every other month or so.....
AS well a 40K of lead ingots at a time......
Add "Erace" alkaline cleaner in 55 gal drums.....Used to clean grease and neutralize the acid wash.

Big tanks to clean wire....and worked very well on rusty car parts as well........


Anyway, knife came out NICE......
Was gonna say, a little baking soda should stop the etching

[crashdive123]

That came out nice.