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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Edged Tools :: 3v acid etch
 
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MidwestFirecraft
03/01/2019 08:35AM
 
I had a custom filet knife made of 3v and I had it acid etched because of Jerry Hossom's experience with 3v. Weather it is necessary or not I don't know, but I love the look and will continue to test 3v's limits. It has become my favorite steel if hardened to 62.
"While 3V is certainly not stainless, it does contain enough free chromium to provide some anti-corrosion protection. When I first used the steel and noted how it corroded, widely scattered spots of orange rust under which were fairly deep pits, I ask the then chief metallurgist at Crucible Steel about what I saw. He said the spots were the result of surface oxides, presummably iron oxides. I'm guessing these oxides are contaminents in the CPM powders which are then trapped in the steel when it is hipped. With that in mind, I reasoned that I could remove those particular oxides with an acid bath. Whether the reasoning is correct or not, it worked and I've seen a much reduced tendancy for 3V to corrode after "passivation". Whether it is the formation of Chromium oxides from the free chrome or simply removal of the problematic iron oxides, I really don't know." - Jerry Hossom.
 
BearBurrito
02/27/2019 09:58AM
 
Looks great.
 
KarlBAndersen1
03/01/2019 10:39AM
 
I would have to think about that - thanks for posting that.
I wonder if it would Parkerize?



 
KarlBAndersen1
03/01/2019 06:46AM
 
Consider that rust IS an oxide. It's iron oxide. Your oxides won't rust - if they're oxides - because they're already rust!
In fact I'm a little surprised you were even able to etch the 3V. The chromium should everything locked up so tightly I wouldn't think the FeCl would do anything.
But it looks pretty sweet.
 
MidwestFirecraft
03/17/2019 08:58PM
 
A knife maker on Blade forums (Fimbulvetr Knifeworks) tried it and said it wouldn't take. I won't begin to guess what kind of wood that is, but I really like the walnut color combo with that parkerized blade!
 
MidwestFirecraft
02/25/2019 03:15PM
 
Just finished my first etch with home made FeCl3. Pretty happy with the results. Shown next to satin blade so you can see the color.

 
MidwestFirecraft
02/28/2019 09:05PM
 
I purposely stored it in my leather sheath to see if any of the oxides at the surface would rust , but they never did. I have heard it was an issue with 3v, but after soaking in vinegar for 2 days with no patina I think it's pretty stainless!
 
KarlBAndersen1
02/28/2019 06:25PM
 
That may really help with corrosion resistance. (Even though 3V doesn't need it!)
Great look.

 
KarlBAndersen1
03/20/2019 01:42PM
 
MidwestFirecraft: "A knife maker on Blade forums (Fimbulvetr Knifeworks) tried it and said it wouldn't take. I won't begin to guess what kind of wood that is, but I really like the walnut color combo with that parkerized blade!"


That's curly maple.