Reinhard Schwaninger

600 grit or finer

Here is a process that works great and creates a high contrast on a carbon/nickel steel Damascus blade: I stumbled across this, trying all different methods of bluing steel. Etch first with ferric chloride for about 15 min. to bring out a 3 dimensional pattern. Apply cold rust bluing liquid (you get this from diverse gun shops) and put the steel in your kitchen oven at the lowest temp. and a pan of water to add moisture. after a few ours the blade comes out slightly rusty which is normal. Scald in boiling, DESTILLED water or use steam, that will turn the rust black. Let dry and clean the black dust off using 0000 steel wool (carding). Wash with baking soda (neutralizing the acid) The blade should now be uniformly dark. After that comes the fun part that brings out the pattern. Polish the higher nickel areas with 600 grit sandpaper which will now be exposed and bright. The lower parts stay dark and since they are blued, they also will be more protected from rusting. Use a buffer if you like and oil your blade.

You can leave the surface on top the way it is, if you attach 3 blocks of wood on the bottom with one block bigger or smaller to build a tripod. This will also prevent the block from rocking ;-)

Use your car battery and a graphite rod from an old AA od D battery. weld the end of the 2 wires together and you are in business. This is what I did, when I built my pizza oven.

$80 for air over hydraulic press at harbor freight and about $150 for 2 inch steel framework. Make sure you weld everything square. I made it adjustable with 3/4 dia bolts on top.

How many nuts can your press crack at once? ;-)

Very nice! How does this compare to a home made air over hydraulic minipress in efficiancy?