Unusual Etch on a Moro Blade

Spunjer · 19th May 2012, 02:44 AM

and then this happened...
i was etching this kris as i thought i saw some squiggly lines along the edge. after spending an hour applying vinegar with a stiff nylon toothbrush (my preferred method), i finally started to see some lamination patterns in the usual typographical pattern. vague, but it was there. another hour spent applying vinegar with the toothbrush, but it seemed like this is about as bold as it will get, so i decided to neutralized the acid. after that was done, i ran hot tap water to wash off the baking soda. this is where it got weird. these unusual snake like lamination patterns started appearing all over the blade. the longer i applied hot water, the bolder the patterns got. it even overtook some of the typographical patterns, as in these darker lines were on top of the previous patterns. i've never seen this happen before. anyone ever had this experience? any explanation on what would cause these? one thing that is neat tho, it has this monochromatic scheme going; brass handle and baka-baka, darker brass collar, copper wire handle, and now these brown lines.
p.s.
for the record: i've handled moro blades for years, and i could honestly say that this is the very first time i've been "bitten" by a moro blade. weird.

spiral · 19th May 2012, 09:17 AM

Nice barung Spunjer!

Ive had the same expierience etching kukri, my conclusian was hot water & air promote an oxidisation that highlight the otherwise low contrast laminations, due to some layers or lamination lines of the bladel oxidising more rapidly than the others.

As a technique I think of it as controled oxidisation highlighting.

Guess it needs a heavy oil soaking afterwards.

Spiral

ThePepperSkull · 19th May 2012, 04:07 PM

silver kakatua.... *drool*

Spunjer · 19th May 2012, 04:48 PM

@spiral: thanks! I do have this habit of running a hot water test on these blades to see if they're laminated. When I did it initially, none of those patterns came out.
On your multi, did pattern stayed, or did it eventually fade? Yes, you're right: healthy dose of oil was applied right after...
@dave: It's brass, I'm pretty sure. It's just that it is the lighter shade type, not to mention I went against the grain and decided to clean it up. Of note is the weight of this beast: it's heavy, comparable in heft with kampilans.

spiral · 20th May 2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

On your multi, did pattern stayed, or did it eventually fade? Yes, you're right: healthy dose of oil was applied right after...
.

It stays, but much cleaning fades it, I guess longer oxidisation leaves a more permant mark, a questian of getting the right balance I think?

Spiral

Sajen · 20th May 2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

It stays, but much cleaning fades it, I guess longer oxidisation leaves a more permant mark, a questian of getting the right balance I think?

Spiral

Yes, agree, have similar operating experiences.

Regards,

Detlef

DaveS · 21st May 2012, 02:59 AM

Spiral: I've had this happen before also after using vinegar to neutralize the
Phosphoric acid that i usually use to etch blades. It seems strange
to me that one acid can be used to neutralize another, but i guess
for some reason it works. Try also heating blades on both sides with
a torch (very carefully). Then apply acid. It seems to emphasize
the high-carbon areas of a blade with some really good results. If
the blade turns out too dark simply repolish, and try again....Dave

19th May 2012, 02:44 AM	#1
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	and then this happened... i was etching this kris as i thought i saw some squiggly lines along the edge. after spending an hour applying vinegar with a stiff nylon toothbrush (my preferred method), i finally started to see some lamination patterns in the usual typographical pattern. vague, but it was there. another hour spent applying vinegar with the toothbrush, but it seemed like this is about as bold as it will get, so i decided to neutralized the acid. after that was done, i ran hot tap water to wash off the baking soda. this is where it got weird. these unusual snake like lamination patterns started appearing all over the blade. the longer i applied hot water, the bolder the patterns got. it even overtook some of the typographical patterns, as in these darker lines were on top of the previous patterns. i've never seen this happen before. anyone ever had this experience? any explanation on what would cause these? one thing that is neat tho, it has this monochromatic scheme going; brass handle and baka-baka, darker brass collar, copper wire handle, and now these brown lines. p.s. for the record: i've handled moro blades for years, and i could honestly say that this is the very first time i've been "bitten" by a moro blade. weird. Attached Images Last edited by Spunjer; 19th May 2012 at 03:10 AM.

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19th May 2012, 09:17 AM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Nice barung Spunjer! Ive had the same expierience etching kukri, my conclusian was hot water & air promote an oxidisation that highlight the otherwise low contrast laminations, due to some layers or lamination lines of the bladel oxidising more rapidly than the others. As a technique I think of it as controled oxidisation highlighting. Guess it needs a heavy oil soaking afterwards. Spiral

19th May 2012, 04:07 PM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	silver kakatua.... drool

19th May 2012, 04:48 PM	#4
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	@spiral: thanks! I do have this habit of running a hot water test on these blades to see if they're laminated. When I did it initially, none of those patterns came out. On your multi, did pattern stayed, or did it eventually fade? Yes, you're right: healthy dose of oil was applied right after... @dave: It's brass, I'm pretty sure. It's just that it is the lighter shade type, not to mention I went against the grain and decided to clean it up. Of note is the weight of this beast: it's heavy, comparable in heft with kampilans.

21st May 2012, 02:59 AM	#7
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Spiral: I've had this happen before also after using vinegar to neutralize the Phosphoric acid that i usually use to etch blades. It seems strange to me that one acid can be used to neutralize another, but i guess for some reason it works. Try also heating blades on both sides with a torch (very carefully). Then apply acid. It seems to emphasize the high-carbon areas of a blade with some really good results. If the blade turns out too dark simply repolish, and try again....Dave