eBay MORO KRIS WOOTZ??

Double Edge · 21st January 2005, 03:32 PM

Gene,

Now you're asking for my trade secrets. Okay, just don't tell the competition.

I finished the blade to a "worn out" 600 grit, using 3M automotive paper and water. I used the standard Archer Etchant brand ferric chloride from Radio Shack, but cut it with 5 parts water. That's far more diluted than I usually do for damascus, but the idea is to color rather than eat away metal from the surface and this ratio gives you more control. Al told me to wipe it on then rinse it off, but I just wasn't fast enough on the first two etchings. I had to go back and refinish the blade. The third etching was wipe with the etchant and rinse in about 3 seconds. It was messy, but grass has started to grow back over our work area! After that last etch and rinse I hosed the entire blade with WD-40 to displace the water. It sat with the WD-40 for a couple of days, with me adding more a few times. This let the etch "cure" a bit, then I cleaned the oil off and waxed it. I've found that certain waxes are great for rust prevention, at least in most places (and with collectors who really know how to take care of carbon steel). The sword was exhibited at the Knifemakers Guild show then delivered to its owner in Hawaii with a wax coating. I did no further polishing of the steel after the etch. The picture of the entire sword makes the blade look blacker than it really is. What you see of the blade in the handle close up is more accurate. It is a darker gray with the white crystals showing.

Did I pay my wife? Gene, I pay my wife, who works for me and is my accountant, every penny I make. She in turn gives me an allowance.

By the way, Al Pendray is not the only man making wootz these days. This past weekend at the Collectors Show, a knife show in Napa California, I got to see two blades of modern wootz from Rick Furrer. Pretty cool stuff!

Thanks for the compliments, folks. I appreciate them.

David

21st January 2005, 03:32 PM	#31
Double Edge Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4	Gene, Now you're asking for my trade secrets. Okay, just don't tell the competition. I finished the blade to a "worn out" 600 grit, using 3M automotive paper and water. I used the standard Archer Etchant brand ferric chloride from Radio Shack, but cut it with 5 parts water. That's far more diluted than I usually do for damascus, but the idea is to color rather than eat away metal from the surface and this ratio gives you more control. Al told me to wipe it on then rinse it off, but I just wasn't fast enough on the first two etchings. I had to go back and refinish the blade. The third etching was wipe with the etchant and rinse in about 3 seconds. It was messy, but grass has started to grow back over our work area! After that last etch and rinse I hosed the entire blade with WD-40 to displace the water. It sat with the WD-40 for a couple of days, with me adding more a few times. This let the etch "cure" a bit, then I cleaned the oil off and waxed it. I've found that certain waxes are great for rust prevention, at least in most places (and with collectors who really know how to take care of carbon steel). The sword was exhibited at the Knifemakers Guild show then delivered to its owner in Hawaii with a wax coating. I did no further polishing of the steel after the etch. The picture of the entire sword makes the blade look blacker than it really is. What you see of the blade in the handle close up is more accurate. It is a darker gray with the white crystals showing. Did I pay my wife? Gene, I pay my wife, who works for me and is my accountant, every penny I make. She in turn gives me an allowance. By the way, Al Pendray is not the only man making wootz these days. This past weekend at the Collectors Show, a knife show in Napa California, I got to see two blades of modern wootz from Rick Furrer. Pretty cool stuff! Thanks for the compliments, folks. I appreciate them. David