The way to bring out the pattern in steel is to polish (NOT burnish!), then lightly etch the blade. I have only done an etch twice, with only so-so results, so others I am sure can give you better advice than I, including solutions, times, etch.
The polish should be done by a pro, though. It is a somewhat misleading term, because what actually is done is gradual and even removal of the surface with a series of stones of increasing fineness (wet/dry sandpaper can also be used). The trick is to open the grain of the steel and get an even surface. Buffing or burnishing with a polishing wheel (as a jeweler or silversmith would do, for example) has just the opposite effect - the surface material gets rubbed around (like icing a cake) and fills in the grain. I'll PM you with the contact info of an excellent polisher & restorer, in case you want to do something with the blade.
|
17th June 2008, 06:58 PM
Threaded Mode