Tombak Opinions Wanted

A. G. Maisey · 19th May 2006, 11:00 AM

Realgar is a mineral that is available to mineral collectors. Some people have mentioned this as being the true "warangan" that we use in Jawa.

I know nothing about it and have never used it. Two people who I know who have tried it have both had no success in using it.

Ferric chloride which is available as a circuit board etchant, and is used by custom knife makers to etch damascus steel will give you a result. It will not give you the correct result, but it is easy, and better than nothing.

Industrial arsenic is not an option. It must be laboratory quality.

19th May 2006, 11:00 AM	#24
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Realgar is a mineral that is available to mineral collectors. Some people have mentioned this as being the true "warangan" that we use in Jawa. I know nothing about it and have never used it. Two people who I know who have tried it have both had no success in using it. Ferric chloride which is available as a circuit board etchant, and is used by custom knife makers to etch damascus steel will give you a result. It will not give you the correct result, but it is easy, and better than nothing. Industrial arsenic is not an option. It must be laboratory quality.