Forged Damascus Billet

opaul

opaul

Well-Known Member
I picked up a Damascus billet late last year and the advise on this forum was to cut it length ways and forge a blade. So today I cut the billet and fired up the forge and hammered away. Its not the prettiest shape but at least it is an identifiable shape (I hope you agree :)). I heated it up and it's now cooling in a bucket of vermiculite. I'll start grinding on it tomorrow. I may try a hidden tang knife with the other half billet.
Anyway here is the results of today's forge work.
So here is a statement and a question. After grinding I'm going to heat treat and quench in Parks 50 oil and then temper. After that what do I need to do to get the pattern to show up best - coffee etch or ferric chloride etch?
Also, any other suggestions are genuinely appreciate the advise!

AKwildman - I really tried to use more finesse with the hammer on this one - time will tell.

 
Watch Eds video on YouTube. It' a GREAT VIDEO! The Alabama Demascus blade I did I used Ferric Chloride per Eds video. Came out awesome.
 

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A coffee etch is done after an etch in ferric chloride. It adds a lot more contrast to the blade. I hand sand to 1200 grit before etching.
 
On Alabama Damascus I wet sand down to 600 and etch in ferric, probably about 40% ferric-60% vinegar.
next I wet sand lightly with 1500 and mobile one, removing a lot of the black...or dark grey carbon on the blade.

Then...I take a jar of Publix instant coffee and put it in about a two quart size container...strong joe!
leave it in there for 3-4 hours, I've even left them in overnight, it's not going to hurt it, at least it didn't appear to make any difference to me, it will only get so black. and black it does. I'm surprised at the result on some blades, others...eh.

just make sure your blade is ABSOLUTLY clean when it goes in the ferric. personally I use brake cleaner, followed by acetone, finished by alcohol then in the ferric. that's just my way of doing it. being this is your first Damascus piece it will seem kind of experimental to you, I wish you luck and it comes out great, I look forward to seeing it finished.

keep in mind as your etching it...it's the different alloys and the pattern the maker used that will define your end results.
 
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