Damascus Knife Blade Etching Instructions


Close-up Damascus Knife Blade


Etching Damascus is a fairly stright forward process that can enhance the appearance of a blade or help you recover from a mistake.

I use Radio Shack PCB board etching solution ($3.99 for 16 oz.) as my etchant medium.  PCB Board Etching Solution

Etching the blade is a matter of submersing the blade in the etchant for 15 - 20 minutes and then washing it in hot water and detergent  (You can also use baking soda or ammonia to neutralize the etching solution).   Washing the blade is the messy part.  The etching process releases carbon from the steel and it turns your hands black (as well as your sink, much to my wife's dismay).  But it does wash off with some scrubbing.

Oil the blade after washing.

If you don't like the results, you can just throw it back in the etchant solution for another round of soaking and washing.  

I have sanded a blade down to the point where there isn't a visable pattern and brought it back like new with etching.  Etching is also handy  for repairing errent sanding marks and for bringing the pattern back on the spine and edges.  When doing the final fit on scales I use a small drum sander to bring the scales down to the blade edges.  This has a tendency to remove the pattern from the edges.  I selectively apply etchant to the edges with a paper towel several times over a period of 15 minutes and then wash it.  You would never know that you had sanded the edges smooth..  You can also selectively apply etchant to errent sanding marks with the same effect.

I use a 1 liter soda bottle with the side cut out as my etchant "tank".  The 1 liter size allows you to etch large blades and the screw top provides a convenient way to pour the etchant back in the Radio Shack bottle for safe keeping.  Do not use a metal container as your tank!  

The PCB board etching solution is a relatively benign substance.   However, follow appropriate safety procedures to protect your eyes and skin!