Thread: Save the etching?

I picked this up last week on a low bid that I didn't really expect to win. I cleaned it up a little with Maas but there is still some significant pitting on the tang where there was rust and a couple of bad spots on the back of the blade. The etching is pretty rough. Some sanding and a few days in the polisher would make it look great but the etch wouldn't survive. Is it worth saving? Other than claiming to be damascus it doesn't appear to be a high quality blade.

The tumbler "MIGHT" leave the etching and still get the razor shiny enough to meet your expectations... If not then you go after it hardcore, at least then you tried to save the etch....

I think it is pretty and would try to keep it.

I am a softy at heart and try to keep as much of the old as possible. YMMV of course.

After about 12 hours in the tumbler the etching is still there but slightly muted. The razor cleaned up nicely. I hit the rust with some 600 grit and it that was about it. I'll planning to take it out this evening and go with it. I"ll add a pic later for comparison.