Another question about etching

ariel · 18th July 2010, 08:48 PM

I have been using a new bottle of the RadioShack etching fluid ( ferric chloride), diluted ~1:5. Took a soft cloth, soaked it, passed in a single movement over the blade (polished, washed, dried, alcohol defatted), and after ~10 seconds, washed it with copious amount of water , then sodiuim bicarbonate, then water again and dried it. From the beginning to the end it took no more than 1 min.
I got a wootz pattern ( pretty feeble), but the entire blade became grey.
What should I do to:
1. Enhance the pattern? More concentrated etcher? Longer exposure?
2. Eliminate the grey color? Rub it with rough felt?

kai · 19th July 2010, 12:52 AM

Hello Ariel,

Please post a pic or 2...

Is the blade expected to be wootz?

Regards,
Kai

Battara · 19th July 2010, 03:32 AM

Also what kind of water - distilled I hope? Did you also use baking soda afterward?

Ferguson · 19th July 2010, 11:33 AM

I've had wootz blades that didn't respond well to FeCl. They used nitric in the past I think. I've never used it. Very dangerous stuff.

Steve

ariel · 19th July 2010, 02:16 PM

Thanks to all!
Both blades are unquestionable wootz: very weak pattern seen.
Yes, distilled.
Yes, baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate)
What %% nitric acid? How long?

And, if the rest of the blade is still grey, any rubbing afterwards or some other method?

Gavin Nugent · 19th July 2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Thanks to all!
Both blades are unquestionable wootz: very weak pattern seen.
Yes, distilled.
Yes, baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate)
What %% nitric acid? How long?

And, if the rest of the blade is still grey, any rubbing afterwards or some other method?

Ariel,

You speak the lingo and will find this a help.

http://playground.sun.com/~vasya/Obach-01.html

It works for me and as noted, is very dangerous, I mean very, be careful.

Gav

18th July 2010, 08:48 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Another question about etching I have been using a new bottle of the RadioShack etching fluid ( ferric chloride), diluted ~1:5. Took a soft cloth, soaked it, passed in a single movement over the blade (polished, washed, dried, alcohol defatted), and after ~10 seconds, washed it with copious amount of water , then sodiuim bicarbonate, then water again and dried it. From the beginning to the end it took no more than 1 min. I got a wootz pattern ( pretty feeble), but the entire blade became grey. What should I do to: 1. Enhance the pattern? More concentrated etcher? Longer exposure? 2. Eliminate the grey color? Rub it with rough felt?

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19th July 2010, 12:52 AM	#2
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	Hello Ariel, Please post a pic or 2... Is the blade expected to be wootz? Regards, Kai

19th July 2010, 03:32 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Also what kind of water - distilled I hope? Did you also use baking soda afterward?

19th July 2010, 11:33 AM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	I've had wootz blades that didn't respond well to FeCl. They used nitric in the past I think. I've never used it. Very dangerous stuff. Steve

19th July 2010, 02:16 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Thanks to all! Both blades are unquestionable wootz: very weak pattern seen. Yes, distilled. Yes, baking soda ( sodium bicarbonate) What %% nitric acid? How long? And, if the rest of the blade is still grey, any rubbing afterwards or some other method?