Feedback on etching atempt

Drabant1701 · 25th April 2015, 05:37 PM

I am new to etching so I am practicing on a Karud (?) dagger that I have. Its old so I figured its possible that its wootz or pattern welded. I am getting some results. Not a good one but Im getting some sort of pattern at least. some of the blade may have been hardened since it turns all black. Can you look at the pictures and comment one what you think it is (wootz? pattern welded? streaks of dirt?

Jens Nordlunde · 25th April 2015, 09:45 PM

Maybe this picture will help.

Oliver Pinchot · 26th April 2015, 02:27 AM

Good job on your first effort, Jens.
It's wootz, but the blade was overheated in spots during
the edge-hardening process. As a result, you see black
areas. Nothing to be done, so far as I know.
In my experience, the best wootz etches with ease. I hope
this will hold true for you, too.

Drabant1701 · 26th April 2015, 07:28 AM

Thanks Oliver and Jens for your help. It etches very quickly in weak ferric cloride. I etch for 5-10s then polish lightly with steel wool and then etch again and repeat. Problem is that to get a strong pattern I have to leave the brownish streaks, so I have to adjust my approach somewhat.

Jens Nordlunde · 26th April 2015, 08:51 AM

The dagger does not belong to me, it belongs to Drabant1701.
I only made the picture a bit lighter.
Jens

Drabant1701 · 26th April 2015, 10:16 AM

Seems like a lot of the blade was overheated (marked red), i can only get a good etch higher up one the blade. I have however achived an etch that I am pleased with one the undamaged area.

25th April 2015, 05:37 PM	#1
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Feedback on etching atempt I am new to etching so I am practicing on a Karud (?) dagger that I have. Its old so I figured its possible that its wootz or pattern welded. I am getting some results. Not a good one but Im getting some sort of pattern at least. some of the blade may have been hardened since it turns all black. Can you look at the pictures and comment one what you think it is (wootz? pattern welded? streaks of dirt? Attached Images

25th April 2015, 09:45 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Maybe this picture will help. Attached Images

26th April 2015, 10:16 AM	#6
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Seems like a lot of the blade was overheated (marked red), i can only get a good etch higher up one the blade. I have however achived an etch that I am pleased with one the undamaged area. Attached Images

26th April 2015, 02:27 AM	#3
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	Good job on your first effort, Jens. It's wootz, but the blade was overheated in spots during the edge-hardening process. As a result, you see black areas. Nothing to be done, so far as I know. In my experience, the best wootz etches with ease. I hope this will hold true for you, too.

26th April 2015, 07:28 AM	#4
Drabant1701 Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 181	Thanks Oliver and Jens for your help. It etches very quickly in weak ferric cloride. I etch for 5-10s then polish lightly with steel wool and then etch again and repeat. Problem is that to get a strong pattern I have to leave the brownish streaks, so I have to adjust my approach somewhat.

26th April 2015, 08:51 AM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	The dagger does not belong to me, it belongs to Drabant1701. I only made the picture a bit lighter. Jens