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These short how-to videos show how easy it is to create detailed blade metal etchings using salt water, vinyl and a 12 volt car battery charger.

Celtic Cleaver with metal etched blade and spine. Crafted from one of our Cleaver knife blanks.

Check out this short how to video to find out how easy it is to apply and use makers mark stencils from Marking Methods Inc. We designed a two-tone logo with both negative and positive design features. The logo was etched using a care battery charger and salt water as the electrolyte solution.

DIY Easy Crafts

The Complete Online Guide to Knife Making

METAL ETCHING

After the etching is complete we polished the knife blade with 1500 grit emery.  Please watch the short video posted above to see exactly how this full blade knife etching was accomplished. Remember safety first. 

Mix up a salt water solution. Approximately 2 tablespoons of salt per Liter of water. We used a 12-volt care battery charger to etch the blade. The positive cable was connected to the spine of the knife. We wrapped a small piece of gauze and clamped it onto the negative lead. Dip the gauze into the salt water and then ring it out. It should be moist but not soaking wet. Being very careful not to touch anything metal with your hands touch the gauze to the knife blade where you want the etching process to start. Time will vary depending on the material being etched. For this 1095 steel blade the gauze was held in place for about 15 seconds. Then move the gauze and repeat until the entire blade has been etched. For this blade we wanted a deep etch and repeated the etching process for an additional 15 seconds. Make sure only the damp gauze touches the blade. If the metal clamp touches it will arch and damage the steel.

Metal etching is a great way to enhance the blade or spine of almost any knife. The designs are limited only by your own artistic ability. Check out the examples of metal etched flames, waves and even a patriotic eagle.

Now you can easily enhance the quality of your metal etchings with precision machine cut vinyl stencils. Check out this short video to see how the Silhouette Cameo cutting machine can be used to create beautifully detailed stencils for metal etching.

How to easily etch a design onto any knife blade. Metal etching can be done in a variety of ways. We use a 12 volt automotive battery charger, salt water and a transparent film to quickly and easily create beautiful metal etched designs.

Check out the metal etching on this Viking Battle Axe project. This Viking style axe was up cycled from an old rusty axe head.

Start by applying and cutting out clear transparent transfer sheet. We bought this at Michaels Art supply. Design the transparency to cover any areas that will not get etched. Protect the thin blade edge and spine with nail polish. Additional details like the spots can also be added with nail polish

Learn all the tricks of the trade in this short how-to video on metal etching stainless steel.