Thread: Etching Questions & Ideas

I read Vlad's amazing articles about re-etching razors with vivd fascination, and it started me thinking about other possibly simpler and cheaper "low tech" or "alternative tech" ways of re-etching your restored blade.

Obviously, if the restoration isn't 110 percent WONDERFUL, what's the point?

Having said that, there are presently a number of different recent etching/engraving technologies that should be reachable without major investment in hardware, plant, & eq...

I've noticed that there are all kinds of Printed circuit prototype kits available on the marketplace, that are basically a supply of a paintable, printable, appliable acid resist in the form of a lacquer or paint, some kind of acid etching solution, some plastic trays, and other bits and pieces, that are definitely low tech....

There are also different types of acid etching pens...Where you can literally "write" in acid what you want etched into the blade.

I'm thinking that perhaps the way to go for a "low tech" approach would be to re-etch the razor to a point where the markings are "deeper" than any of rust, pitting, and other damage...

Once etched deeper than the "damage", the markings would survive the restoration process...

Another etching process that is currently available in different marketplaces is lazer image etching...

Currently offered on a retail basis by different custom signage and engraving houses, a photo-image of the orginal markings could be lazer etched onto the "restored" razor after all the restoration work, grinding, and polishing. Of course you'd need to take a sharp clear, focused photo of the markings to provide the lazer etching people.

Since I'm a total "newbie" to all of this, I haven't as yet had the time or opportunity to try out or explore any of my ideas...

I just thought I'd put these ideas out into the forum, in the hopes that maybe someone else has tried something like this beforehand and has some experiences to share....

All the best,

Tony

Tony

Some excellent suggestions. One question I would have is would heat and temper be an issue with laser etching?

Hopefully, we will hear from Brendon shortly...I know that he has done considerable research in home based razor etching.

-whatever

-Lou

If I'm not completely mistaken, the graphics on the SRP Thiers-Issard Limited edition Str8 Razors were lazer engraved.

Digital Image Lazer Engraving is pretty much industry standard today for mass producing engraved images on metal, plastics, ceramics, etc.... I wouild say that "most" of the socalled etched graphics that you see on "new" modern cutlery is lazer engraved.

It's main appeal is that you avoid using all those dangerous, toxic, nasty acids and other chemicals, and don't end up with a monster toxic/hazardous waste disposal problem... of course you need the up front money for the digital lazer equipment, but after that it's a very profitable and practical method of engraving on metal...

Tony

Originally Posted by scarface

Some excellent suggestions. One question I would have is would heat and temper be an issue with laser etching?

Hopefully, we will hear from Brendon shortly...I know that he has done considerable research in home based razor etching.

-whatever

-Lou

It doesn't necessarily. A friend of mine used laser etching to mark his cell phone. It was a laser used for welding pacemakers shut once they are assembled, so I cannot talk in general, but the heat is not a problem per se.

Basically, you program the route the laser has to trace with the beam, and then you fire it off. It takes only a millisecond.

The energy of the beam is intense but since it lasts only a ms, the surrounding metal has almost no time to heat up significantly.

Some people have managed to do some pretty decent etches on blades using things as simple as wax/nail varnish and ferric chloride or salt water and a battery. It's surprising what can be done with rudimentary tools. Not that I'd try it on a razor as the etch tends to spread as it gets below the surface using these slow techniques (giving you a dovetail sort of shape if you were to cut through the blade and look side on).

Okay Lou, I'll bite...

Just to let everyone know, I'm working on a 'secret' project and it does involve etching...not saying anymore, but I'll my first proto types are going to Lou, and I'll let him sing praises ...or tell of my folly, after all is said and done. Until then..suspence for the lot...
One thing I will say about laser etching is this. I remember reading about clear scales (I think the thread was started by Joshearl) and someone said that there are companies that will laser cut acrylic. maybe they can be coaxed into etching.
One thing I have been reading about is shallow etching takes AC current and deep etching takes DC, but one produces a black mark and the other a clear one.