Exposing the watered steel on a blade.

Dmitry · 1st July 2013, 02:06 PM

There are several ways of doing it that I've read about, but have never done it myself. I have a very beautiful tulwar that has vestiges of the watered steel pattern discernible on the blade, and I'm sure there's more hidden out of sight.
What's the easiest way of exposing the rest, preferably with non-toxic, accessible chemicals, and preserving it?
Thanks.

Jens Nordlunde · 1st July 2013, 02:38 PM

Hi,
Try to make a search for etching or etching blades. This should give you enough reading for quite some time

.
Jens

Dmitry · 1st July 2013, 03:27 PM

I did the search, there seem to be as many ways of doing as there are people who've done it, with various degrees of success.
Technics range from lemon oil to the Ferric Chloride , and more.

Jens Nordlunde · 1st July 2013, 03:49 PM

Don't dispear. Yes you are right, there are as many ways to do this, as there are sand corns at the sea - almost.
If you have never done this before, you should choose one of the 'soft' ways like lurk warm vinegar, but if you use Ferric cholide you must delude it, I amnot quite sure how much, as I use quite a strong solution, but I am sure it must be mentioned in one of the 'search' mails.
Remember to have some warm water handy, to neutralise whatever you are using, should the prosess suddenly start to work faster than you would like.
Before you start you must make sure, that the blade is clean, also clean for any oil - I use Acetone.
Should you choose to use FC, the blade may have a yellowish shine afterwards, this can be removed with very fine steelwoll and some oil.
Good luck
Jens
PS. Please show some pictures when you have finished the project.

1st July 2013, 02:06 PM	#1
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	Exposing the watered steel on a blade. There are several ways of doing it that I've read about, but have never done it myself. I have a very beautiful tulwar that has vestiges of the watered steel pattern discernible on the blade, and I'm sure there's more hidden out of sight. What's the easiest way of exposing the rest, preferably with non-toxic, accessible chemicals, and preserving it? Thanks.

1st July 2013, 02:38 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	Hi, Try to make a search for etching or etching blades. This should give you enough reading for quite some time . Jens

1st July 2013, 03:27 PM	#3
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	I did the search, there seem to be as many ways of doing as there are people who've done it, with various degrees of success. Technics range from lemon oil to the Ferric Chloride , and more.

1st July 2013, 03:49 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	Don't dispear. Yes you are right, there are as many ways to do this, as there are sand corns at the sea - almost. If you have never done this before, you should choose one of the 'soft' ways like lurk warm vinegar, but if you use Ferric cholide you must delude it, I amnot quite sure how much, as I use quite a strong solution, but I am sure it must be mentioned in one of the 'search' mails. Remember to have some warm water handy, to neutralise whatever you are using, should the prosess suddenly start to work faster than you would like. Before you start you must make sure, that the blade is clean, also clean for any oil - I use Acetone. Should you choose to use FC, the blade may have a yellowish shine afterwards, this can be removed with very fine steelwoll and some oil. Good luck Jens PS. Please show some pictures when you have finished the project.