Iv'e etched many, many blades, both wootz and layered steel. My experience with ferric chloride has been that no matter what, it will give a slightly greenish-brown tinge to the steel. Wether this is due to the acid possibly containing some compound of chlorine i do not know. Try using phosphoric acid. It goes under the name "metal etch" at Orchard Supply Hardware. I have used it for many years on layered steel such as on moro swords, and i feel it gives a MUCH better etch and is easier to use. You don't even need to dilute it AT ALL!!!!!!. It has the added advantage of not turning silver black as ferric chloride does. Normally i etch wootz with ferric, but the last few times i have etched wootz with phosphoric with outstanding results. Also i have never had any problems using plain tap water, but that might have something to do with the minerals that occur naturally in the water, and would vary from area to area. As someone just stated, you do want to dry the blade as quickly as possible because as you have seen it starts to rust instantly...........Dave
|