Indo-Arab Matchlock ?

[ward]

make sure the barrell is absolutly free of any oils of any sort. a quick ammonia rinse will work. soap will work just make sure it is very well rinsed. even windex will work. The differene in a fast etch or slow is in that a fast etch more gray will be brought out than black. It can also be deeper. Since the damascus can be made of so many different elements getting black is no guarentee and can only be hoped for. another etch you can try is using horse manure and urine. These are more traditional types and take longer but the results are often better.