A little polish in the time of COVID

mariusgmioc · 25th September 2020, 04:33 PM

Unfortunately, I do not know any source of Nital available for individual use in Europe.

I used to get my Nital from THE ETCHANT STORE in the US.

Several years ago, I could order it and have it shipped directly to the Netherlands.
A few years ago, they changed the policy and shipped only to the US and Canada, so I had to ask a fellow forum member from the US to be kind enough to re-ship it to me.
Now, they do not serve private individuals anymore and I was not able to order from them.

Now, I switched to Ferric Chloride, but I am not happy with the change. I am still looking for a source of Nital in Europe.
Meanwhile, I either use Ferric (which I hate), or send the blades to a friend of mine here in the Netherlands who does the etching with a nitric based solution (similar to Nital). He is also a very skilled with various types of repairs.

At the time I was able to order from the US, I would combine equal parts of Nital 3% with Nital 5% to get Nital 4%, which I found to work better.

How did I use the Nital for etching?! See the link below (with the observation that I got best etching results with a surface polished to about 2000 grit):

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21732

PS: I am not very familiar with the metallurgy of wootz so I do not know about differential tempering of wootz.
However, I certainly did not hear about the use of differential tempering on wootz blades and I suspect it might adversely affect the wootz structure/watering pattern.

kino · 25th September 2020, 05:43 PM

Once used does Nital have to be discarded or can it be re-used?
Does it’s potency wanes with each use?
Can it be safely poured down the sink to dispose?
I suppose I can look up the MSDS for disposal, but quicker here.
Thanks in advance

GePi · 26th September 2020, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Now, they do not serve private individuals anymore and I was not able to order from them.

Now, I switched to Ferric Chloride, but I am not happy with the change. I am still looking for a source of Nital in Europe.
Meanwhile, I either use Ferric (which I hate), or send the blades to a friend of mine here in the Netherlands who does the etching with a nitric based solution (similar to Nital). He is also a very skilled with various types of repairs.

That matches my experience, although I have never had the chance to use nital myself.
Does your friend work on comission, or does he only do the work for you as a personal favor?
I do have some persian blades with an unsatisfactory finish that due to cites I cannot send outside of the EU.

mariusgmioc · 26th September 2020, 07:49 PM

My friend is a professional swords and armour maker.

He is accepting commissions, but is quite busy as he is working also for museums.

Will send you his contact details in PM.

GePi · 26th September 2020, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

My friend is a professional swords and armour maker.

He is accepting commissions, but is quite busy as he is working also for museums.

Will send you his contact details in PM.

Great, thanks!

25th September 2020, 04:33 PM	#1
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Unfortunately, I do not know any source of Nital available for individual use in Europe. I used to get my Nital from THE ETCHANT STORE in the US. Several years ago, I could order it and have it shipped directly to the Netherlands. A few years ago, they changed the policy and shipped only to the US and Canada, so I had to ask a fellow forum member from the US to be kind enough to re-ship it to me. Now, they do not serve private individuals anymore and I was not able to order from them. Now, I switched to Ferric Chloride, but I am not happy with the change. I am still looking for a source of Nital in Europe. Meanwhile, I either use Ferric (which I hate), or send the blades to a friend of mine here in the Netherlands who does the etching with a nitric based solution (similar to Nital). He is also a very skilled with various types of repairs. At the time I was able to order from the US, I would combine equal parts of Nital 3% with Nital 5% to get Nital 4%, which I found to work better. How did I use the Nital for etching?! See the link below (with the observation that I got best etching results with a surface polished to about 2000 grit): http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=21732 PS: I am not very familiar with the metallurgy of wootz so I do not know about differential tempering of wootz. However, I certainly did not hear about the use of differential tempering on wootz blades and I suspect it might adversely affect the wootz structure/watering pattern. Last edited by Ian; 26th September 2020 at 12:08 PM. Reason: Links to commercial sites are not permitted in Discussion Forums

25th September 2020, 05:43 PM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,020	Once used does Nital have to be discarded or can it be re-used? Does it’s potency wanes with each use? Can it be safely poured down the sink to dispose? I suppose I can look up the MSDS for disposal, but quicker here. Thanks in advance

26th September 2020, 07:49 PM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	My friend is a professional swords and armour maker. He is accepting commissions, but is quite busy as he is working also for museums. Will send you his contact details in PM.