All black/dark knife question

[scherf68]

I am making a knife for a friend who wants all black, I will be attempting first etch with ferric chloride (1:3 ratio), have a problem thinking ahead. I am only able to make full tang knives at my skill level, how do I keep spine above scales etched when shaping them? I glue scales on after etch and shape, is there a way to etch again after shaping for the spine?

 

[Owl]

It depends on your handle material. Most dark woods and synthetics will not be affected by ferric.
You would have to test it first on a scrap piece of your handle material..
I use a lot of ironwood scales and damascus, After the handle shaping I use a Q tip to apply ferric along the exposed areas of the tang.
It really doesn't stain the ironwood, and I haven't had trouble with G10 or micarta.
YMMV
Of course you could make removable scales or get them shaped using temporary pins and then glue them on permanently after you finish your etch.

 

[Chris Railey]

I use Super Blue for that but it will change the color of some un-stabilized woods.

 

[Alden Cole]

Profile perimeter finishing on etched blade - question.

Scenario: You are making a full tang knife with a dark etched blade. You put on your handle scales and grind out your handle shape. You finish up your handle nicely to a high grit. Here is the thing, when you are finishing your handle shape, there are many times when you have to sand the exposed...

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