firefarm39 Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I finished my first pattern-welded knife a little while ago. I'll try to post pictures and would welcome any constructive critcism. The knife on top is one my Dad owned, it came from Herter's many years ago (anyone remember Herter's?), and I used it as inspiration for the one below. Now, the problem. The knife was made with 1084 and 15n20, worked to 208 layers. Pattern was developed with a dilute ferric chloride solution for a total of about 10 minutes (in shorter increments). I am pretty happy with the pattern, but after the knife sits for a couple of days, dark streaks develop on it. They easily clean up with 800 grit sandpaper, and I have tried coating the blade with several things, but it still seems to happen. I have used oil and paste wax, to no avail. Anyone else have this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Wot did you do to neutralize the acid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Hi Rich, did not neutralize, just rinsed in clear water for about 10 minutes. Do you think I can do anything at this point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Ok, another attempt to post pictures...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Yates Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 nice style and form ... bit small to see though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loneforge Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Quite similar to a DH Russell belt knife....love to see them a little bigger as well! Try windex on that blade to neutralize the reaction. Tip advice to me from Rich Hale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Share Posted May 8, 2012 Ok, one more try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Clean all the oil off then spray with windex Rinse and oil again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Rich, Loneforge, samcro, thanks for the help! I'll neutralize with windex ASAP. Let ya know how it turns out. loneforge, you are right, the form is very much like DH Russell belt knife (I looked them up). I bet they made knives and marketed them through Herter's. Herter's was a catalog/mail order outdoor equipment outfitter back in the day. Bass Pro and Cabela's are modeled on them. Thanks again, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefarm39 Posted July 9, 2012 Author Share Posted July 9, 2012 Well, I THINK I figured it out. I took Rich's advice and neutralized with Windex, and that helped slow down the oxidation some, but it was still happening. After a couple of weeks, the pattern became indistiguishable, just a muddy grey color, so I cleaned all the oxidation off one more time, neutralized again and oiled it. This time I left it out of the homemade sheath and just laid it on top with only a small part of the blade touching the leather. Lo and behold, the blade oxidized where it was in contact with the leather! My theory is that it is an acid tanned leather (bought it at swap meet) and that is causing the oxidation. Anyone else have any similiar issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 never leave a blade in a leather sheath :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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