That was absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe how amazing that turned out even though you did such a quick job for the video! I am definitely going to be using this right away! Thanks so much for sharing!
you truly are in my opinion the most artistic of knife makers. thank you very much for this awesome idea. i am very excited to try this. kudos on an excellent video.
I just want to say Thanks You Gav for all your videos! You teach a lot of people and give them the Courage to try stuff! And to me that is what You tube is all about! Thumb's Up for Gavko!
I had my doubts looking at that polish right before the dunk....but it came out pretty good. Thanks for sharing this. Now to go etched ALL the knives in the kitchen.
It's a nice etch job. The carbon in the steel is what is being dissolved so a high carbon blade will show more than stainless due to the higher carbon content of the steel. Nice work Gav!
Legitimately really cool. I don't even normally comment on stuff, let alone from this long ago. But this is awesome, and turned out fantastically for a quick job!
Thank you so much for the quick reply! I didn't think it would happen so quickly, I really appreciate your concern with my question and thank you for this masterpiece tutorial!
That looks good im thinking of making a knife with my nephew when hes older as a fun project i might consider etching the blade it definatly gives it a unique look
Awesome! I've been using Ferric Chloride to etch metals like copper & brass for jewelry, but had no idea it would work on steel as well. You can get the acid at Radio Shack (it's used for etching circuit boards). I use Sharpie markers (not paint pens) or a permanent ink like StazOn (craft store). Rubber stamps with the StazOn ink give me unlimited design possibilities. Masking tape w/carved designs also works as a mask. Soaking in ammonia will remove all traces of the chemical.
@SrJoben just got thru trying[and succeeding] your methods on a couple of my blades,really happy with the results,thanks to you and Gav. for the excellent tutorials.much appreciated.
@johnathan gibson i normally make a sale video when i have something for sale, there still is one huge chopper for sale from my last knife sale video. Its the 3/8" thick O1 beaver i made. Look for the beaver video or latest knife sale video if you want to see it. Its $400 or $450 if i remember right.
Nice tutorial. I tried a budget homebrew acid etch solution (50/50 vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide with a spoon's worth of salt) on a circular saw knife, it took about a half hour, and the results were pretty nice, just a bit shallower than what you got.
Great video! If you use pcb etchant anyway, I guess after protecting the edge with nail polish, someone could coat the blade in PCB photopositive resist coating and exposure some hight detailed motive on the blade. I have to try that some day.
Good vid Gav. If ya dilute the ferric chloride 50/50 with white vinegar you'll like it better. I use sorta the same process to do my logo in damascus blades. I had a sign shop print some vinyl stencils and I stick em on as a mask before the etch. TSP dissolved is good to neutralize and will remove the oxides without having to sand it for a different look. If you wanna set the oxides so they don't come off to preserve the black look, put it in boiling water for a few mins after.
@SrJoben It dilutes the FC and allows it to cut faster, it also helps it not to get micro pitting. The oxide layer will also be more attractive should ya choose to set it and keep it. If you are trying to preserve it it's best to etch then boil about 3 times. Quick etches, not lengthly ones. This process is very akin to cold rust blueing, and the results can be just as durable if done correctly. Give it a try.
@rapdog90 Yes that would work, at least for some designs. But it's easier to take most knives apart. Mostly because of the scrubbing and polishing you have to do after it's done etching, often the handle gets in the way.
it's awesome! I'd never expect that this will do a lot of nice look for that knife. At the beggining I was like pff nice try it gonna look like shit, but when you almost finished it's really amazing even with no paying a lot attention. Really good job, congratulations skills ;)
Can you then follow up an Etch like you did with vinegar Patina? Or will the difference between the Etch and the non etched surface be harder to spot? Say for example I wanted a Patina coating for preservation, and Etching for Decoration? Is that possible? GREAT videos by the way I learned a LOT already.
@ArtistBlade1972 What does the white vinegar accomplish? That's really interesting, I'll have to try the boiling water thing. I was disappointed when I tried my first etch and discovered that the black coating it left on the blade wasn't durable at all.
@gavkoo Dude... hope you feel better soon. I've been sick 3 out of the last four weeks with some cold/flu thing; going to the doctor again tomorrow to see what's up.
That's looks cool. I may experiment worth his stuff on a few cheap knives. Do you think that this would work good on a pistol slide? I think it would look awesome to make some sort of design on one of my pistols.
@GameTrailerGuru I've done over a dozen etches on knives or knife sized objects, and it still works, but it seems to be slowing down. I'm still on my first bottle of solution.
very interesting tutorial,now this method is for stainless steel only?or for all steels?or???i used your mustard etching technique on a couple carbon blades,they came out pretty good,really interested in etching a stainless blade though.
Great tutorial video Gavkoo. (props also to the original tute maker). I wonder if it'd still look as awesome on a blade that isn't convex bevel? Coz that full convex grind makes those teeth look awesome :D
HI, thanks for the tutorial, I'll be trying it out. Quick question, do you know how to get color into stainless steel? I'd like to make the blade black.
Nice video, thank you for the inspiration. Only if I use the black material will not corrode? Please advise me what can I do against corrosion. I can not English, so I use google translator, sorry for deficiencies in speech.All the best.
I wonder if different ink colors protect differently. I've tried black sharpie, and it only protects a tiny tiny bit. I tried to put my mark on the last one I did and it's barely visible as a tiny color change in the steel.
Gav I just heat-treated and cleaned up a full tang knife that I have been working on. I plan to epoxy wood handles to it after I etch it. I would like your opinion on how I should do it. Would you just etch just the blade itself or the whole knife? If it is the whole knife do I need to shape the wood handles first before I etch?
Gavkoo do you think that muriatic acid is strong enough to put the same finish on? I am making some chef's knives and they are too large or would require too many cans of that stuff from RS. I can buy a gallon of MA cheap at a pool supply store or HD. Good video, thanks for putting that together! Cheers mate!
If I was planning on just etching the whole blade, without a fancy design and then stone washing it should I still use the nail polish on the edge? I still plan on doing it on the pivot hole.
could you cut out a paper stencil and then spray paint a really intricate design on the blade and then take it off with thinner after? would the paint be enough to protect those areas?
What kind of nail polish did u use on the blade was it expensive or just cheap like 199 just making sure that the concentration is the same with all nail polish
Does this cause blades to rust quicker? I plan to do this on my endura and will it do anything bad to vg-10? Great video by the way you are very skilled. How much would ithe tools cost to make a custum folder?
Wonderfully done tutorial Gav. I may try some ideas I have now whenever I get some home time :). You still sound sick bro... still haven't shook that cold? Stay safe!
I tried doing this in an Stainless Steel blade, but it doesn't quite make the same effect, do I have to leave it a little longer to get the same results ?
my name is cole and i seen your knives and i couldn't beleave how sharp they how much would a bigger knive be i no u dont whole sale i collect i would love to have one
Awesome! Everyone else told me it didn't work, but I kept seeing pictures of AUS knives with etching. This is why I love your videos so much!
That was absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe how amazing that turned out even though you did such a quick job for the video! I am definitely going to be using this right away! Thanks so much for sharing!
you truly are in my opinion the most artistic of knife makers. thank you very much for this awesome idea. i am very excited to try this. kudos on an excellent video.
I just want to say Thanks You Gav for all your videos! You teach a lot of people and give them the Courage to try stuff! And to me that is what You tube is all about! Thumb's Up for Gavko!
I had my doubts looking at that polish right before the dunk....but it came out pretty good. Thanks for sharing this. Now to go etched ALL the knives in the kitchen.
It's a nice etch job. The carbon in the steel is what is being dissolved so a high carbon blade will show more than stainless due to the higher carbon content of the steel. Nice work Gav!
this has to be my favorite tutorial yet! i think i will give it a shot now.. it turned out amazing! nice job!
Legitimately really cool. I don't even normally comment on stuff, let alone from this long ago. But this is awesome, and turned out fantastically for a quick job!
Thank you so much for the quick reply! I didn't think it would happen so quickly, I really appreciate your concern with my question and thank you for this masterpiece tutorial!
That looks amazing I'm just getting into knife making and started with your tutorials and I love the knives you send out like the one to cutlery lover
Nice job! Your videos have been very informative. Thank you for taking the time to submit.
That looks good im thinking of making a knife with my nephew when hes older as a fun project i might consider etching the blade it definatly gives it a unique look
Awesome! I've been using Ferric Chloride to etch metals like copper & brass for jewelry, but had no idea it would work on steel as well. You can get the acid at Radio Shack (it's used for etching circuit boards). I use Sharpie markers (not paint pens) or a permanent ink like StazOn (craft store). Rubber stamps with the StazOn ink give me unlimited design possibilities. Masking tape w/carved designs also works as a mask. Soaking in ammonia will remove all traces of the chemical.
@SrJoben just got thru trying[and succeeding] your methods on a couple of my blades,really happy with the results,thanks to you and Gav. for the excellent tutorials.much appreciated.
im lost for words that knife looks amazing
Wow that looks awesome... I'm kind of tempted to take apart my persistence and try my hand at etching.
THAT IS EFFIN WICKED! Love that Gav. Sick ass blade, and awesome design.
This is really cool, gave me some great ideas for my own knives and axe heads. Thanx.
@johnathan gibson i normally make a sale video when i have something for sale, there still is one huge chopper for sale from my last knife sale video. Its the 3/8" thick O1 beaver i made. Look for the beaver video or latest knife sale video if you want to see it. Its $400 or $450 if i remember right.
@stmike5707 It works on carbon steel just fine. It's dissolving the iron in the stainless, not just the minority of alloys that are added to it...
i have that same Leatherman! Nice choice of a multi-tool and very cool vid thanks for posting it!
Amazing idea! Amazing tutorial - really great job done in this video!!!
Thanks so much!
Nice tutorial.
I tried a budget homebrew acid etch solution (50/50 vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide with a spoon's worth of salt) on a circular saw knife, it took about a half hour, and the results were pretty nice, just a bit shallower than what you got.
I was hoping this was coming. Your the man Gav!
Great video!
If you use pcb etchant anyway, I guess after protecting the edge with nail polish, someone could coat the blade in PCB photopositive resist coating and exposure some hight detailed motive on the blade.
I have to try that some day.
Good vid Gav. If ya dilute the ferric chloride 50/50 with white vinegar you'll like it better. I use sorta the same process to do my logo in damascus blades. I had a sign shop print some vinyl stencils and I stick em on as a mask before the etch. TSP dissolved is good to neutralize and will remove the oxides without having to sand it for a different look. If you wanna set the oxides so they don't come off to preserve the black look, put it in boiling water for a few mins after.
@SrJoben It dilutes the FC and allows it to cut faster, it also helps it not to get micro pitting. The oxide layer will also be more attractive should ya choose to set it and keep it. If you are trying to preserve it it's best to etch then boil about 3 times. Quick etches, not lengthly ones. This process is very akin to cold rust blueing, and the results can be just as durable if done correctly. Give it a try.
@rapdog90 Yes that would work, at least for some designs. But it's easier to take most knives apart. Mostly because of the scrubbing and polishing you have to do after it's done etching, often the handle gets in the way.
it's awesome! I'd never expect that this will do a lot of nice look for that knife. At the beggining I was like pff nice try it gonna look like shit, but when you almost finished it's really amazing even with no paying a lot attention. Really good job, congratulations skills ;)
Nice! Never would have guessed sharpie would work too!
Cool. I love your knives!!!! Keep up the great work!
Can you then follow up an Etch like you did with vinegar Patina? Or will the difference between the Etch and the non etched surface be harder to spot? Say for example I wanted a Patina coating for preservation, and Etching for Decoration? Is that possible?
GREAT videos by the way I learned a LOT already.
@ArtistBlade1972 What does the white vinegar accomplish? That's really interesting, I'll have to try the boiling water thing. I was disappointed when I tried my first etch and discovered that the black coating it left on the blade wasn't durable at all.
thats stainless CPM154 but it doesnt make much difference, it will work on any steel, just a matter of how long to keep it for how deep etch...
thanks Gav i've been wondering how you guys do your acid etch! looks mean!
Thank you. Great video, Info, and Styling! Also a likeable and kind voice. Just one question. Will this work on stainless?
Got it, thanks for the info. Diluting the acid would have the same lightening effect as well correct?
@gavkoo Dude... hope you feel better soon. I've been sick 3 out of the last four weeks with some cold/flu thing; going to the doctor again tomorrow to see what's up.
Awesome Video man! Will be trying this out soon! I wonder if it will work on a gun slide as well?
Your videos are great. "Tactical Pink",..... you crack me up!
Hey gavkoo. Im looking to do a few knifes like this and was wonder if you knew how many knifes I can do before I have to change the acid.
very nice work ! and great tutorial as usual !
That is sweet Gavkoo! Turned out great!
That's looks cool. I may experiment worth his stuff on a few cheap knives.
Do you think that this would work good on a pistol slide? I think it would look awesome to make some sort of design on one of my pistols.
@GameTrailerGuru I've done over a dozen etches on knives or knife sized objects, and it still works, but it seems to be slowing down. I'm still on my first bottle of solution.
very interesting tutorial,now this method is for stainless steel only?or for all steels?or???i used your mustard etching technique on a couple carbon blades,they came out pretty good,really interested in etching a stainless blade though.
Great tutorial video Gavkoo. (props also to the original tute maker). I wonder if it'd still look as awesome on a blade that isn't convex bevel? Coz that full convex grind makes those teeth look awesome :D
HI, thanks for the tutorial, I'll be trying it out.
Quick question, do you know how to get color into stainless steel? I'd like to make the blade black.
Nice video, thank you for the inspiration. Only if I use the black material will not corrode? Please advise me what can I do against corrosion. I can not English, so I use google translator, sorry for deficiencies in speech.All the best.
I wonder if different ink colors protect differently. I've tried black sharpie, and it only protects a tiny tiny bit. I tried to put my mark on the last one I did and it's barely visible as a tiny color change in the steel.
Gav I just heat-treated and cleaned up a full tang knife that I have been working on. I plan to epoxy wood handles to it after I etch it. I would like your opinion on how I should do it. Would you just etch just the blade itself or the whole knife? If it is the whole knife do I need to shape the wood handles first before I etch?
Cool! Thx!
Any thoughts on anodic etching?
Gavkoo do you think that muriatic acid is strong enough to put the same finish on? I am making some chef's knives and they are too large or would require too many cans of that stuff from RS. I can buy a gallon of MA cheap at a pool supply store or HD. Good video, thanks for putting that together! Cheers mate!
Beautiful knife is that you're working on there!
If I was planning on just etching the whole blade, without a fancy design and then stone washing it should I still use the nail polish on the edge? I still plan on doing it on the pivot hole.
i saw somewhere if u spray cooking spray, like PAM and stuff, that it makes the nail polish dry rly fast
FIRST
could you cut out a paper stencil and then spray paint a really intricate design on the blade and then take it off with thinner after? would the paint be enough to protect those areas?
Thank you that did help. My friend sent me the right stuff and i am now out of prison. :).
A work of art. well done.
I like the effect that the Sharpie gives, I can see a trip to the ferric chloride shop on the horizon. :)
One folders with a stop pin, do you need to protect where the stop pin contacts the blade as well as where the lock contacts the blade?
Hi Gav, quick question, if you had left the blade in the acid for a shorter period of time, would the etch have been a lighter initial color?
yep. but a lot depends on the steel. each steel reacts differently. pretty much based on rust resistance of the steel...
Can you use the etching solution with a low voltage current like other knife makers use?
will a scotch bright pad work in place of the sanding pad?
What kind of nail polish did u use on the blade was it expensive or just cheap like 199 just making sure that the concentration is the same with all nail polish
Could you also use a hairdryer instead of a heat gun?
And what's the spray he used to clean it?
is it necessary to first clean the blade with acetone? if yes, why? if i don't have acetone what other household product will work?
Does this cause blades to rust quicker? I plan to do this on my endura and will it do anything bad to vg-10? Great video by the way you are very skilled. How much would ithe tools cost to make a custum folder?
Not sure about what Gavko used, but a common etching acid is Ferric.
Can u use the same acid to etch another knife, or do u have to dump the acid out and refill it every new knife? Thanks
Wonderfully done tutorial Gav. I may try some ideas I have now whenever I get some home time :). You still sound sick bro... still haven't shook that cold?
Stay safe!
Are you still making kydex sheaths? I was gonna see if you could do one for me.
Is there a tape or something you can use for more precice lines?
no problem when u have one a bit cheaper i no u spend a while making the knife and your work is great
really awesome Gav =) keep the videos up mate!
do you have to use a shiny (satin?) finished blade? or can you use it on a bead blasted one as well?
will the acid etch stainless surgical steel i need to know that for my throwing knife
Great video, turned out awesome!
i used that sharpie paint marker and it works, but not as clean as thick even layer of nail polish,
Love the accent man, Great video thanks!
@gavkoo You should use nail polish pens for more intricate details.
this might be off topic for the video but how much would it cost for a zippo sheath
Great work Gav!
@johnathan gibson thank you Cole.
thanks buddy just did this on my spartan, have it up soon
cood u do this with anything (flashlights, multi-tools,axes,tomahwks,etc.)?
will this work on a high carbon knife? and will this protect it from rust? also what kindof acid is that?? thanks
@SrJoben ok well looks and sounds like its worth a try,thanks for the quick response.
I tried doing this in an Stainless Steel blade, but it doesn't quite make the same effect, do I have to leave it a little longer to get the same results
?
my name is cole and i seen your knives and i couldn't beleave how sharp they how much would a bigger knive be i no u dont whole sale i collect i would love to have one
Do you think a paint marker would work instead of nail polish?
Cool! Did you try this on titanium?
@xKaidoh yep
How much would someone typically charge to have a blade acid etched?
@pup9et Yes, this was 154cm
HI..I WANT TO ASK YOU ....IF...DO THIS ON A DAMASKUS BLADE, HOW INTERESTIG WILL BE THE EFFECT ??
@ArtistBlade1972 Thanks, that sounds very useful. I'm going to try that.
will this take off a dlc on a blade or does it have to be stonewashed first?
look´s like a damascus blade nice i like the effect