Restoring a hamon?

[Izzy]

I have a 1095 knife that I had built several years ago. Ive worked it hard in that time and the hamon is no longer visible. Without heat is there a chance that it can be brought out again with a chemical etch of sorts? The scales are micarta so heat is out of the question.

     The issue is purely cosmetic and I still love the work horse.

[Lin Rhea]

Yes Izzy, the steel is in the same condition as it was. The lighting effect has changed but can be restored. It's probably tarnished and scratched upsetting the former finish which, at one time, caused the hamon to be more visible.

I would start with a passive approach by using a paste on a make up pad. You can buy those in quantity at the make up section.  
Just rub Semichrome or flitz compound on it in as even coverage as you can and see what happens. If that does not achieve the desired result, you may have to use very fine sand paper, then the compound. It should come back to where you can see it.

If you have to use the sand paper, please refer back here first or contact me. It's important to know how to hold the knife and which way to apply the sanding.

[Bladepeek]

Lin, if you ever get some extra time on your hands, that would be a very interesting tutorial. I've tried etching in warm vinegar and rubbing with some compound on a piece of leather, but paid no attention to how I was rubbing it. The results were less than desired   :(

[Izzy]

Thank you sir, Im not afraid to shop in the makeup section. Ive been growing out my hair and might just pick up some product while Im there. Ive been sporting the bald look too long.  

[Lamey]

very easy, re hand sand the blade, re etch (carefull around the handle),  re polish.  Ive done a few, you just have to be carefull.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Izzy, Restoring tha hamon is far easier than the Hyman  

[Lamey]

This hamon was restored after the blade had been badly pitted/stained.