Etching wootz, opinion needed.

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by thomas hauschild

Water and some spoons of instant coffee. It is a very slow etching. You can put a blade in for some hours without a big risk to remove too much steel. But it will etch to a deep black and you can feel a structure after a day on damascus blades.

Best Thomas

Very, very interesting! Definitely worth a try.

Thank you!

[ariel]

Thanks!!!

[Kmaddock]

Hi
There is tannic acid in coffee, and seemingly 30 other organic acids as well ( according to my quick google of “tannic acid in coffee”) I assume it is these that are doing the etching?
Ken

[mross]

I know this is kinda old but I am getting ready to etch a possibly wootz blade with nital 3%. For those of you that use nital 3% what do you do afterwards? Baking soda or a acid neutralizer?

[Kmaddock]

I use baking soda and never had any issues at all
best of luck
ken

[Battara]

Same here. Baking soda directly on the blade after you rinse it off in water.

[mross]

Thanks. I'll take pictures and post one way or another.

[h0ll0wman]

Originally Posted by Battara

Same here. Baking soda directly on the blade after you rinse it off in water.

Hello Battara. Is this for cleaning the blade after etching? I also use it but I mix it with water then wipe the blade after etching. I haven't tried putting the baking soda directly on the blade. Should I let the baking soda sit for a number of minutes? Thank you

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by mross

I know this is kinda old but I am getting ready to etch a possibly wootz blade with nital 3%. For those of you that use nital 3% what do you do afterwards? Baking soda or a acid neutralizer?

Where did you get your Nital from?

I am desperate to get some but without any success.

[Kmaddock]

Hi Marius
Why not make it yourself

it is just Nitric acid, Methanol/ethanol/or methelated spirits
I used work in a university chemistry department so i just made it myself, I have a thread on making it up on the forum

we conversed before on this

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=nital


if you go to your local university or perhaps secondary school and explain what you want it for you may be lucky
I can explain process to you if you can get materials
regards

Ken

[mross]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Where did you get your Nital from?

I am desperate to get some but without any success.

I have not received it as yet but ordered it here;

https://etchantstore.com/

[Kmaddock]

Thanks for the link. That is one price mark up. I used be a buyer in a chemistry department so I know pricing.
Raw ingredients for 500 ml would cost under a dollar.

I wish I could make and supply the sword collector fraternity at cost.

Not being critical here just an observation.

Regards
Ken

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by mross

I have not received it as yet but ordered it here;

https://etchantstore.com/

Thank you very much for the reply! Unfortunately, they do not serve Europe.