Finishing Damascus steel

[Bill Moore]

Just finishing my first damascus blades wrapped them in stainless foil heated to 1500 degrees removed the foil and then
 quenched them in peanut oil blade tip first put them back in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour they are now black in color now at this point do I polish them to a high shine before I etch them any help appreciated  thanks Wild Bill

[Lin Rhea]

Bill,
        Yes, but first,I put a cutting edge on it, then I test them for edge holding ability and edge geometry. To me, that's more important the etch. Besides, if something is wrong with the heat treat you can fix that before the etch and wont have to redo the etch. Then I hand sand them to about 500 grit and do a series of light etches. Lin

[kbaknife]

Good advice from Lin right there.
I hope you didn't lose too much heat while removing the blade from the foil.
If you were using the steels normally used in patern welding and got a good quench at the right temp, I think a little higher tempering temp and time would be in order.
Like maybe 400 for two hours and twice.
I do it a little different than Lin.
I've used Damascus from another maker for many years, and only now am using my own, but I hand sand to 1500 grit or maybe 2000 and then etch in 3:1 FeCl:H2O and do 4 - 15 minute etches for a full hour.
Hot blue and then re-sand lightly with 400 grit.
Here's a little photo tour I did a while back:
  http://www.andersenforge.com/knifeconstruction.html
 

 

 

[Bill Moore]

Hey thanks to the both of you thats the kind of advice I need always worked with ats 34 stainless picked the damascus up at the Little rock show Lin don't know if you remember me Bob S. has introduced us at the knife show. Karl love your work I see that on one of the threads you stated you've never shot an elk that could be arranged maybe a trade for a little training thanks Wild Bill

[Lin Rhea]

Sure Bill! I remember now. Bob is a great friend and has been such a good contact as well as a friend of knifemaking. His love for trad hunting is our link. We shared camp and I cant think of a better guy to hunt with. Holler at me anytime. Lin

[Bill Moore]

Lin thanks for the reply and yes Bob is a great guy put the blades back in for another 350 degree soak I think that should do it thanks again Wild Bill

[joekeith]

     Man you guys make some beautiful knives....