Damascus Question

[skullworks]

I have a puchased damascus blade that I scratched.      And I need to know how to get it out. I know that I can sand one off a regular blade but if I do it on damascus will it have to be re-acid etched?

[OconeeDan]

yep.
You may be able to camoflauge it by cleaning with acetone, then touch up with blueing solution on a toothpick.  
Scratches will still be there but they'll be darker instead of bright silver.

[skullworks]

That is a good idea. Nothing to lose by trying huh?

[Lin Rhea]

You might try lemon juice on the toothpick. I think it will give you a closer finish color. Of course, you could blue the whole blade, but you need to degrease it as Dan mentioned and not touch it with your hands before or while bluing.
                                  Lin

[varmint]

Last time I asked I was pretty much told.......I'm stuck with the scratches.Just consider them "character"........

[skullworks]

Thanks Lin! Read the article about you...great stuff and beautiful work!

[Doug Campbell]

Can't imagine why you'd be stuck with scratches if you didn't want to be Varmit, unless they are real bad.

Skull, at the rate your going you just as well go ahead and get the experience of etching damascus. Again depending on how bad it is I'd say sand the scratch out and refinish the blade.

[skullworks]

How would I etch it? LOL!

[Leftieshot]

Yeah, how do you etch a damascas blade?

[Lin Rhea]

Guys,
        You degrease it, let it set or hang in a mild acic for several minutes to several hours. I use Ferric Chloride, but lemon juice, vinigar, etc. will work. Spray it with windex (with amonia) and a baking soda solution afterward. This stops the acid from working.
     This is a quick explaination, but will get you started.
                         Lin

[skullworks]

Thanks! I'll have to give it a go! I need to sand the scratches out first right? Just do it the same as I would any blade? Don't mean to sound dense. LOL!

[skullworks]

Lemon juice seems to have done the trick. I sanded it with 400 & 800 grit to get rid of the scratch and then soaked in lemon juice for about an hour and the pattern showed up nicely. Scratch isn't completely gone or maybe I just think that since I know where it was. LOL! Thanks again!