[RobT]

Hi All,
Thanks to you all for your informative responses. With Ian's caution about possible lung damage due to abrasive dust inhalation firmly in mind I intend to build a blasting box and get a compressor. Does anyone know what size of compressor (tank size and flow rate) that I would need? Money is an important consideration as is portability since I would like to use the unit around the house. Also, does anyone know what kind of attachments (like nozzles and abrasive canisters) I will need? I intend to check out the Black Beauty abrasive that Ian mentioned. Perhaps that company can provide some information also.
Ann, I very much look forward to your analysis of the differing needs for restoration and conservation. Thanks too for your compliment on my blades.
Kai, thanks for starting this ball rolling. Regarding your last post on this thread however, I must say that, unless the entire blade is uniformly black, the pits will show up loud and clear. I know this because I just spent about two years polishing the staining out of a wootz Kurdish Jambiya. (It was ok once but I'll never do it again. Life is too short.) The pitting and metal loss to this blade was severe but when the blade was polished mirror bright prior to etching, the pitting didn't look half as bad as when the blade was stained. Now that the etching is done the blade looks fairly respectable. This is why I'm so eager to pursue non-damaging methods to clean blades quickly and effectively.
Sincerely,
RobT