If your talking about Stainless Damascus, then yes muriatic acid works very well. I warm it in a coffee can with water " like a double boiler" to 100 degree's then keep knife agitated for about a minute. Neutralize in water & baking soda, repeat if necessary. Wear appropriate respirator made for acid fumes, these fumes will also rust everything steel in the surrounding area! Do it outside if you can, well vented area. Ferric chloride is found at most Radio Shack stores, I like it best for carbon steel etching and the muriatic best for stainless. Just my two cents.
Clint