Blotchy Etch Question

2

2lbt

New Member
Hi All,

I etched 6 sample pieces of heat treated CPM154 at different times from 5-30 minutes to see the differences

I cleaned surfaces with acetone prior to etch

I used straight Ferric Chloride, rinsed, and left in baking soda bath for several minutes

The result was nice but still slight unevenness to the etch

I noticed some people dilute the Ferric and some don't

Some makers stop and rinse then re-submerge

Will any of these work to even out the etch ??

Any info is greatly appreciated !

Thanks

Rob
 
Sometimes a light rub down with some flitz or other metal polish evens out an etch pretty good.
 
I may be out of the loop here somehow, but why are you etching CPM-154 stainless with ferric chloride and what kind of results are you anticipating ?. I've never heard of such a thing.
 
It's all about the look bladegrinder.
Rob I just got done etching this little necker in AEB-L and I used ferric chloride cut 4-1 with water. I cleaned it with dawn soap and water then with denatured alcohol wearing gloves. This is the first time I have etcher stainless I let it sit for 30 minuets then washed off rubbing the slim film off to reveal what it actually looks like then neutralized it. I'm going to tumble this one, it's not black but dark gray.
 
Thanks for the responses guys,

BG, Justin was correct, it's strictly an aesthetic purpose, I've seen it done on other blades and was giving it a try

An 800 grit hand rub and some darker gray random pattern pop pretty well, I'm going to try some polish to try to even out the etch like John mentioned

I've seen some take a fine scotch brite belt to it to get a worn 3-D effect, by slightly polishing up the field areas of the etch

but I'm just trying to get and even gray etch for now


Thanks again
 
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