Etching Wootz at the V&A
 

From the V&A conservation journal, they come up with some reasons to etch and describe their method - - -
"Should a Conservation Treatment Reveal the Secret of Damascus Steel?"


http://www.vam.ac.uk/res_cons/conser...s31/index.html

(I just started looking through the list of issues, could be some goodies buried in there ;) )

Interesting article, but pretty basic compared to the level that you and Greg have reached. They used nital in the V&A and did so sympathetically (or extremely cautiously - as do all conservation teams).
That axe is a good quality piece, and I am sure the pattern would have appeared with almost any etchant. I would have loved to see an article on something more stubborn, that would have needed serious teasing to bring out, and how they tackled each hurdle everytime the etchant failed.
Simon Metcalf has left the V&A, and now has the exhalted position of the Queens armourer. Not a bad collection to be allowed to play with!

Interesting.....to find the same questions, about whether to etch or retain the original patina, that went through my mind (with the Khanda I am 'restoring') ........made me realise that even the experts sometimes have 'difficult' decisions.

I also agree with B.I. it would have been nice to see an article on more 'stubborn' pieces

Katana,

The fact is that with a piece that has heavy oxidation or rusting, you just don't know what you are going to get until you have polished and etched. As many of us can tell you who have done a fair number of blades, you get some nice surprises in addition to some disappointments.