First attempt at knife etching

[mick91]

Had an attempt at ferric chloride etching today on an unused, well I'm not sure knife. Gut hook pinkie ring karambit maybe? Just a simple tiger stripe to have a go but was quite pleased with the result. Given it was on stainless it's etched quite well so might dilute it for other steel

Before

After

Tell me what you think, I like the pattern but understand if it's not to other people's taste

 

[mark stotesbury]

Very nice .

 

[mick91]

Very nice .

Cheers Mark. Was just a test piece for doing a bigger knife as I'm foraying into making my own

 

[richardhomer]

Looks good

 

[mick91]

Looks good

Cheers. I like it I have to say

 

[Hammock Hamster]

Very nice, out of curiosity any idea how well the etched finish would hold up to regular use compared to say a cold gun blue?

 

[mick91]

It's taken some pretty serious sanding back with 400 grit wet and dry to get to that stage. But that was also a very shallow etch. One I tried on a karambit was far deeper and even sanding hasn't lightened it up. Be great for sticking in a makers mark. I've only ever used cold blue once and was on an actual gun barrel so haven't used it the same way I would a knife. I would wager they would stand up similarly as they're both controlled corrosion though. And you can achieve pretty intricate patterns with acid I've found

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[mick91]

It's taken some pretty serious sanding back with 400 grit wet and dry to get to that stage. But that was also a very shallow etch. One I tried on a karambit was far deeper and even sanding hasn't lightened it up. Be great for sticking in a makers mark. I've only ever used cold blue once and was on an actual gun barrel so haven't used it the same way I would a knife. I would wager they would stand up similarly as they're both controlled corrosion though. And you can achieve pretty intricate patterns with acid I've found

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Apologies totally wrong thread I've just posted about a knife I made today is all and that's etched too. That karambit is a serious etch and you would have to intentionally remove it

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