How to etch an ESEE blade

Discussion in 'DIY (Do It Yourself)' started by 91bravo, Sep 8, 2016.

  1. Knifehunt

    Knifehunt Member

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    Etching my new 6!:D Loving this blade...

    IMG_20190217_044821395~2.jpg
     
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  2. Knifehunt

    Knifehunt Member

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    Finished etching my new 6. Came out really good. I did 4 one hour rounds with Ferric Chloride. I think I might fill the logo with orange paint to match the liners.

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  3. Knifehunt

    Knifehunt Member

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    So, after etching I thought I would fill it in to match the liners, and protect the logos from rust.

    IMG_20190218_102115730~3.jpg IMG_20190218_102106303~2.jpg
     
  4. JRTufts

    JRTufts Member

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    Is etching possible with the black oxide finish?
     
  5. shaneadams90

    shaneadams90 ESEE Knives Marketing Director Staff Member

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    no....it does not work well...
     
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  6. JRTufts

    JRTufts Member

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    Thank you Shane, good to know. I was hoping to etch my JG5, PR4 and Gibson Axe.
     
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  7. mwramos76

    mwramos76 Member

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    We shall see how this stuff works 137193BA-9CFA-4EE1-9F7F-98093AF68A8E.jpeg
     
  8. Brandon8485

    Brandon8485 Member

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    Screenshot_20200530_143501_com.android.gallery3d.jpg Screenshot_20200530_143432_com.android.gallery3d.jpg I just etched my izula and 4hm each for about 4 hours. Does anyone know what would cause the 4hm to etch faster than the izula? I did the exact same process to both.
     
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  9. Kaw-liga

    Kaw-liga Member

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    Hmm, I don't know? I've had a few that seemed to etch more evenly or faster than others. I clean all of mine with scalding hot water, Dawn soap, and a toothbrush beforehand. I can't explain it. Here's my J2 after etching, bluing, and stripping. It was the first time I've followed etching with gun blue. It darkened the logos and made it more even.
    IMG_20200502_225518628-01.jpeg IMG_20200502_225415501-01.jpeg
     
  10. mwramos76

    mwramos76 Member

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    Looks good. Did you sand it any?
     
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  11. Brandon8485

    Brandon8485 Member

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    I did the same. Scrubbed them both with a tooth brush and dish soap. Oh well, I'm not disappointed with the results. I'll probably end up doing another etch session on the izula so it's the same depth as the 4hm. That junglas turned out nicely @Kaw-liga
     
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  12. Kaw-liga

    Kaw-liga Member

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    Thank you man. I hit it with some 0000 steel wool for the little bits of coating that didn't scrape off. Then 400 grit wet/dry paper. In hindsight I could have gotten it smoother before I moved on. But it's gonna see regular use.
     
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  13. Bushcraft_Dave

    Bushcraft_Dave Member

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    etched for 3.5 hours and then blued. What ever happened to the fella who started this thread? Bravo? I see him on the becker forum a lot. He jumped shipped?

    Next up for this knife- sand and then black oxide wash and probably jerry rig a stone washer.


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  14. BobbyRatTail

    BobbyRatTail Member

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    Daaaaang! Gorgeous job!
     
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  15. Kaw-liga

    Kaw-liga Member

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    There was some sort of friction that got heated, from what I understand. It's a shame because he contributed so much. From what I gather he bowed out of the forum. But I seem to have missed the whole thing and don't know when it happened or who it involved. Great job on the 4HM Dave. It's a fantastic blade.
     
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  16. Bushcraft_Dave

    Bushcraft_Dave Member

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    thanks brother! I appreciate that!

    yeah I miss his enthusiasm. Alls well that ends well I guess?

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    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  17. Frigin

    Frigin Member

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    That’s all you have to do for etching?!?? Well this I did not know. Now I want to do my knife.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2020
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  18. Bushcraft_Dave

    Bushcraft_Dave Member

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    this easy works, just requires a lot of time. I did 3.5 hours, next time I’m going to get at least 6 hours
     
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  19. Carl Spurgeon

    Carl Spurgeon Member

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    Do you guys know if the newer Laser Strikes are already etched. I have one I bought a couple of months ago and it feels etched. It’s not super deep but it’s not just painted, for sure. I want to etch it deeper but I’m not sure if the paint on the logo will affect it or not. Any thoughts? Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2020
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  20. Kaw-liga

    Kaw-liga Member

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    Hey Carl, I haven't owned or handled a new LS. It was the first ESEE I bought which was about 5 or 6 years ago. With that said, unless something has changed, I'm gonna say no. I think any etching done during manufacturing would be limited to laser etching. This is done to burn away the powder coat and leave your knife's logo, serial #, and birthday. After this process the bare metal underneath the coating is exposed, which can eventually be an area that rusts. Taking a bottle of PCB etching solution to these areas will oxidize the exposed metal and preserve the markings. When the powder coat wears away with use, your logos and such will remain. I hope this helps you.
     
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