How to etch your damascus steel blades ? 30 October 2023
HOW TO REVEAL YOUR DAMASCUS STEEL BLADES?
Etching the patterns of Damascus steel (blades or other knife parts) involves etching the grades and patterns of the different steels that make it up.
This process is carried out by quenching your Damascus steel blade with commercially available etching chemicals (Ferro chloride, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid). We strongly recommend that you carry out the etchingstages in a well-ventilated room away from any machinery, tools or metal parts, as the highly aggressive fumes produced by the treatment can oxidise the metals.
Ideally, this treatment should be carried out outdoors, without forgetting, of course, to protect yourself with appropriate protective equipment.
There are 2 types of Damascus steel, which are revealed with different acids:
- Damascus carbon steel : Ferro chloride, Perchlo + or Gator Piss ;
- Damascus stainless steel : Ferro chloride Plus
Etching the patterns is a highly technical stage that requires the operator's full attention. Neutralising the effects of acids will be necessary using soapy water, washing-up liquid or water mixed with baking soda.
Prerequisites for the Damascus etching operations :
- The parts to be etched must be clean, dry and free of grease. The blades must have undergone appropriate heat treatment.
- The grinding of the blades should be almost complete, and only a light polishing finish may be required.
When etching folding knife blades, it is preferable to protect the mechanical parts that are subject to friction (blade heel in contact with the spring, pivot or liners).
The acid will slightly hollow out the softer metal, which can have an impact on the setting of your knife and its operation (alignment of the blade, smoothness of its movement on the pivot and liners).
This protection can be achieved quickly and easily by applying a special varnish or... nail polish and leaving it to dry completely.
Preparing the bath for your Damascus steels etching.
The first thing is to get a container, preferably a glass one, so that you can follow and control the process without taking the piece out of the bath.
Of course, the container must be large enough to completely submerge the blade.
Ferro chloride Plus for stainless steel damascus is ready to use in liquid form, so no further handling is required.
The bath is prepared by diluting powdered Ferro chloride in water at a ratio of 500g to 1 litre of demineralised water, preferably.
Caution: Never pour water directly onto the powdered Ferro chloride , but always add the powder gradually in small quantities to the water to limit and control the chemical reaction. Preferably work outdoors, wearing suitable protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles, etc.).
Once the powder has been fully diluted in the water, leave the mixture to stand for a few hours, without closing the container, so that it cools and becomes homogeneous.
Etching your Damascus steel blades:
At this point, it's worth remembering that etching Damascus steel involves provoking a chemical reaction that dissolves the softest metal, revealing random or carefully calculated patterns and grades in the assembly.
The process must therefore be perfectly controlled, with regular checks on the progress of the treatment.
The parts to be etched are perfectly clean, degreased and dry, the areas subject to mechanical rubbing are protected by a varnish that has been left to dry: it's time to proceed with the proper etching.
- Completely immerse the parts to be etched in the bath and observe the chemical reaction.
- Depending on the concentration of the water/Ferro chloride mixture, the patterns will etch more or less quickly, and it is advisable to check the results regularly by removing the parts from the bath and cleaning them.
- If the desired result is not achieved, re-immerse the parts in the etching bath.
- Once etching has reached a satisfactory stage, it is essential to neutralise the effects of the iron perchloride by quenching the Damascus pieces in a container of water saturated with baking soda.
- All that's left to do is clean the pieces, give them a light polish if necessary to revive their lustre and... admire the work!
With a little practice, the techniques for etching the patterns on your damascus carbon and stainless steels can be improved by increasing the concentration of the bath, for example, or by heating it to speed up the process. However, if you are new to this art, it is advisable to make a modest start before perfecting your technique.
Tip : A quick dip in Iron Perchloride Plus will accentuate the black tones (simply dip in and out).
Here is a video demonstrating the revelation of damascus steel « Comment révéler du Damasteel ? - Tuto Eurotechni » : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE-hmopllAs
