Etching wootz, opinion needed.

mross · 20th December 2019, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Where did you get your Nital from?

I am desperate to get some but without any success.

I have not received it as yet but ordered it here;

https://etchantstore.com/

Kmaddock · 21st December 2019, 12:21 AM

Thanks for the link. That is one price mark up. I used be a buyer in a chemistry department so I know pricing.
Raw ingredients for 500 ml would cost under a dollar.

I wish I could make and supply the sword collector fraternity at cost.

Not being critical here just an observation.

Regards
Ken

mariusgmioc · 21st December 2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mross

I have not received it as yet but ordered it here;

https://etchantstore.com/

Thank you very much for the reply! Unfortunately, they do not serve Europe.

mross · 2nd January 2020, 07:10 PM

Sorry to recommend the Etchant store. They only sell to commercial addresses. They are worthless for individuals.

It looks more and more like it's not just them. I cannot find any sellers that will sell it unless you have the proper identification/documentation. I even checked a welding supplier and was told they could not even get it. Does anyone know something that is available that is close to it? Vinegar does not seem to do the job. Thanks.

mross · 3rd January 2020, 08:15 PM

Since Nital seems next to impossible to come by; How well does Ferric Chloride do when compared to it?

mariusgmioc · 3rd January 2020, 08:31 PM

Ferric chloride seems to be the next best alternative to Nital but
1. it is more difficult to work with as it tends to stain everything... including the sink;
2. the end result shows less contrast than with Nital;
3. it leaves the piece more prone to rust.

As with regards to the etchant store, they used to deliver to individuals until a couple of years ago. I particularly liked their 5% Nital that allowed me to dilute it down to 4% which in my oppinion delivered the best results.

Polishing thr surface to anything above 2000 grit (3000 in some cases) might be counterprodictive as the metal becomes so mirror-shiny that makes it difficult for the etchant to bite.

MichaelZWilliamson · 6th January 2020, 07:41 PM

That looks very much like someone heated a spot on the edge, either to straighten a deformation, or in attempt to re-harden a spot.

ALEX · 7th January 2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelZWilliamson

That looks very much like someone heated a spot on the edge, either to straighten a deformation, or in attempt to re-harden a spot.

This is quite possible. These white spots are result of overheating, either during or after forging. They become permanent part of wootz structure/pattern and once they're formed there is no way to 'remove' them by different etchants or develop better wootz pattern or contrast.

2nd January 2020, 07:10 PM	#4
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Sorry to recommend the Etchant store. They only sell to commercial addresses. They are worthless for individuals. It looks more and more like it's not just them. I cannot find any sellers that will sell it unless you have the proper identification/documentation. I even checked a welding supplier and was told they could not even get it. Does anyone know something that is available that is close to it? Vinegar does not seem to do the job. Thanks. Last edited by mross; 3rd January 2020 at 05:41 PM.

21st December 2019, 12:21 AM	#2
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 545	Thanks for the link. That is one price mark up. I used be a buyer in a chemistry department so I know pricing. Raw ingredients for 500 ml would cost under a dollar. I wish I could make and supply the sword collector fraternity at cost. Not being critical here just an observation. Regards Ken

3rd January 2020, 08:15 PM	#5
mross Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478	Since Nital seems next to impossible to come by; How well does Ferric Chloride do when compared to it?

3rd January 2020, 08:31 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	Ferric chloride seems to be the next best alternative to Nital but 1. it is more difficult to work with as it tends to stain everything... including the sink; 2. the end result shows less contrast than with Nital; 3. it leaves the piece more prone to rust. As with regards to the etchant store, they used to deliver to individuals until a couple of years ago. I particularly liked their 5% Nital that allowed me to dilute it down to 4% which in my oppinion delivered the best results. Polishing thr surface to anything above 2000 grit (3000 in some cases) might be counterprodictive as the metal becomes so mirror-shiny that makes it difficult for the etchant to bite.

6th January 2020, 07:41 PM	#7
MichaelZWilliamson Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 50	That looks very much like someone heated a spot on the edge, either to straighten a deformation, or in attempt to re-harden a spot.