OK, this is interesting. We have two laminated blades that will spark on a firesteel and one that wont. It would be interesting to know exactly which models each of us are referring to (John, you, and me) And more feedback from other members might be useful to see if a pattern emerges at all (Apologies, I appear to have slipped into nurd mode)
Im referring to the blade that is common to both the Frosts Mora 137 and SL-1 (same knife, different sheaths, as listed on Ragnars site). Ive only ever had these Frosts laminated blades, and perhaps Ive come unstuck by extrapolating from that, that all Frosts laminated blades are equal
.I just checked mine, of the two I still have in my possession, one wont spark the other produces feeble sparks.
Anyone else like to share?
When you mention that
it created slight bubbling on the blade
do you mean the steel has bubbled, or that during the etching process bubbles formed on the surface and then rose up through the vinegar? If you meant that bubbles formed on the surface of the steel and then rose up through the vinegar, then this is normal. A similar process takes place when engravers etch copper plates in an acid solution. The traditional way to prevent the gas that forms on the surface of the copper plate which retards the etching process (because the gas bubbles prevent the acid solution from contacting the surface of the plate, resulting in an uneven etch) was to periodically brush the bubbles away with a bird quill.
Similarly, during the blade etch, it might be a good idea to remove the blade from the vinegar from time to time (the formation of gas on the surface of the steel is more pronounced if the vinegar is hot). This would allow the gas to escape into air, and give you the opportunity to wipe off the black-ish coating that forms on the surface of the steel, as this dark coloured substance will also retard the etch.
Ive no idea what the gas is that forms on the steel, or what the dark coloured gunk is.
Cheers,
Paul.
