triw Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I forged a blade from a chain saw chain, ground it, and heat treated it. I then did the final grind and cleaned it with acetone then etched it in Muratic Acid. The problem is the blade near the handle etched beatifully but the tip just turned a silver gray with no contrast. You can see the layers but not the contrasting black and silver like the rest of the blade. Any ideas what I may have done wrong. Thanks William Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 I don't know too much on this subject, but if I were to guess, I woud say the lack of contrast could be cause by carbon diffusion between the different steels if the tip was heated more times/longer then there would be less of a difference in carbon/alloying elements in that area of the blade since the more heats/longer heats etc. would allow more time for everthing to even out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Do you have any pictures ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 The tip may not be as hard as the rest of the blade..check it with a file Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Anderson R Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Ive found with some cable damascus that the hardened portion of the blade has very little contrast and the unhardened parts pattern looks sharp and crisp. Ive never tried chain damascus but it might be the same scenerio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan B Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I have the best luck using Ferric chloride on chainsaw chains. Give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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