Binesman Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 The pattern is very light. Its for a friend who fish's daily so I yried a vinegar (24 hour) then coffee (24 hour) to etch. Its still very difficult to see the pattern. Any tips on how to darken it using food safe mats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Did you try heating the vinegar? I haven't achieved a deep etch with vinegar but have got to where that one is, with cable damascus, with in around a half hour with heating the vinegar just under boiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 If you used 15N20 and mild steel never going to get very dark with out many hours of etrching. Any acid is food safe after you neutralize and clean it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 If it's going to get used and cleaned daily I do not know of any etchent that will maintain a colour differentiation. You can etch for topography which will stay around longer---however it will also cause issues with cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyO Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 9 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: You can etch for topography which will stay around longer---however it will also cause issues with cleaning. On my kitchen knives, I etch to topography, then coffee. How strong was the coffee? The coffee solution I use was a 1/2 pound really cheap instant coffee to 1/3 gallon of water. I've found that the more I use it the darker it makes the pattern. Also, how you clean it will affect the longevity. I wash my knives immediately after use, don't use any scrubbers and then blot dry then air dry before putting away. Wiping the blade will wipe the coffee darkness off. These aren't the best pictures, but I think you can see the contrast on at least part of the blade. The top one is the first knife I made 3 years ago and the bottome one is 1 1/2 years old. Neither one have been re-etched or re-darkened. as always peace and love billyO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eutrophicated1 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) Beautiful raindrop pattern. I Like the downward curving handle. Pinned handle, so I'm guessing full tang, very durable. Can I ask what steels you used? It would have to be 2 of the stainless alloys, right? This knife is for taking to the stream. Gut the fish on the spot. Then back into the sheath wet. Now stream water is a little higher ph, Colorado trout can't deal with acidity in their water. Regular carbon steel will rust out there, so W2 and 15n20, guessing? xxxx, never thought about this before; I love to fish too. So, if I'm going to make anything for fishing, what are my options? Edited January 26, 2019 by Mod34 Inappropriate language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binesman Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Resin to fill ajd seal any Just 1095 15n20. I'm not worried about rust if you keep it oiled and clean at the end of the day it shouldnt be an issue. Yes full tang and since it for fish after getting the handle rough shaped I slathered it up good with resin to fill and seal any pores so smelly fish gut oil doesnt get under the scales. Then finished the handle and "scuffed" it up a bit so it wouldnt be slick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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