David Wesner
Well-Known Member
Hi Guys and Gals
I have a couple questions regarding the finished appearance of the many different materials we use to make our pattern welded steel.
I've been making knives for a several years and just recently picked up a press.
The past 4 months have found me focusing mainly on sound forge welding technique along with basic pattern development.
Until now I've been using Aldo's 1084 and 15N20 exclusively. I use a diluted solution (~ 6-1) of distilled water and ferric chloride as my etchant.
Now I would like to make a bit of bolster/guard/furniture stock, so I picked up some nickel from Kelly C.
I understand the nickel in the 15N20, when etched, is what shows as the bright lines. The monel nickel 200, I'm told, will show even brighter than 15N20 after etching.
Using 1084 as a baseline in regards to shade of grey/black ......
Question # 1 : What does carbon content in a material component do to the finish etched color shade ? More carbon = darker shade ? More carbon = lighter shade ?
Just to be clear, what can I expect to etch darker, 1095 or 1084 ?
To go to extremes, what could I expect from 1018 (obviously not blade stock) when etched, in comparison to 1084 ? Much lighter gray, or much darker black ?
Question # 2 : What other elements, besides nickel, have a noticeable and more or less, "predictable" affect and what would that affect be ? Brighter,darker ?? FWIW, I completely understand that finishing technique can have an appreciable affect on the finished color shade appearance. In other words, I'm aware I can scrub or sand a majority of the deep black oxides off of an etched 1084/15N20 blade. However, I think we can agree, after etching and finishing there is still a noticeable degree of difference from one material to the next.
Thanks for any help and tips you can help me with in regards to my questions. I really, really appreciate it :thumbup1:
:42:
I have a couple questions regarding the finished appearance of the many different materials we use to make our pattern welded steel.
I've been making knives for a several years and just recently picked up a press.
The past 4 months have found me focusing mainly on sound forge welding technique along with basic pattern development.
Until now I've been using Aldo's 1084 and 15N20 exclusively. I use a diluted solution (~ 6-1) of distilled water and ferric chloride as my etchant.
Now I would like to make a bit of bolster/guard/furniture stock, so I picked up some nickel from Kelly C.
I understand the nickel in the 15N20, when etched, is what shows as the bright lines. The monel nickel 200, I'm told, will show even brighter than 15N20 after etching.
Using 1084 as a baseline in regards to shade of grey/black ......
Question # 1 : What does carbon content in a material component do to the finish etched color shade ? More carbon = darker shade ? More carbon = lighter shade ?
Just to be clear, what can I expect to etch darker, 1095 or 1084 ?
To go to extremes, what could I expect from 1018 (obviously not blade stock) when etched, in comparison to 1084 ? Much lighter gray, or much darker black ?
Question # 2 : What other elements, besides nickel, have a noticeable and more or less, "predictable" affect and what would that affect be ? Brighter,darker ?? FWIW, I completely understand that finishing technique can have an appreciable affect on the finished color shade appearance. In other words, I'm aware I can scrub or sand a majority of the deep black oxides off of an etched 1084/15N20 blade. However, I think we can agree, after etching and finishing there is still a noticeable degree of difference from one material to the next.
Thanks for any help and tips you can help me with in regards to my questions. I really, really appreciate it :thumbup1:
:42: