Hi,

Could someone give me some pointers as to how to etch a 5160 blade to have a nice temperline?

Thanks,

JD

Joss, my way; which is probably not the best way is this. 1. Make sure your blade is heat treated in such a way as to have a visible temper line. 2. I sand to 600 grit, though coarser works. 3. Clean blade with acetone, mek, laquer thinner, etc. to remove all oil, crud, and such. Keep fingers off. 4.Holding by tang dip in 4/1 water to ferric chloride solution. Temperline will pop out almost immediately. Depth of etch will depend on your tastes. 5. When etch is complete wash in water and scrub down with extrafine scotchbrite pad. Soak in baking soda solution. Or, soak in ammonia for a few minutes. Scrub down with pad again. Wash off with water again. This step neutralizes the acid and cleans the black crud off your blade. 6. Dry off and oil.7. Done The etching and cleaning is only about a 5 minute job. Muriatic acid and warm vinegar do a good job too. About the same process. Hope this helps. mike