To etch, or not to etch? (ESEE Izula)

NKlamerus · **on:** October 28, 2015, 03:45:58 AM

I need help!!

I can't decide to keep my Izula OD green,

Or to etch the logos, and do design or something.

I wanna see a yes or no. And some pics for more ideas!

zoidberg · **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2015, 03:53:18 AM

Keep OD green - no, etch the logos - yes, design or something - no.

NKlamerus · **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2015, 05:11:34 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on October 28, 2015, 03:53:18 AM

Keep OD green - no, etch the logos - yes, design or something - no.

So etch the logos then etch it silver? (Remove green coating)

zoidberg · **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2015, 05:38:03 AM

Quote from: NKlamerus on October 28, 2015, 05:11:34 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on October 28, 2015, 03:53:18 AM
Keep OD green - no, etch the logos - yes, design or something - no.
So etch the logos then etch it silver? (Remove green coating)

Yes.

Aloha · **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2015, 05:41:10 AM

Live with it and as the coating begins to wear then decide what to do.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:07:23 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on October 28, 2015, 05:41:10 AM

Live with it and as the coating begins to wear then decide what to do.

^^^ This!

zoidberg · **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2015, 08:37:13 AM

Don't listen to them mate.

NKlamerus · **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2015, 01:44:12 PM

Quote from: Aloha007 on October 28, 2015, 05:41:10 AM

Live with it and as the coating begins to wear then decide what to do.

Can't wait to etch the logos, otherwise more coating will wear and it won't be effective.

I think what I'll do is etch the logos, then leave the coating on for now. Once it worn I'll strip it off

ducttapetech · **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2015, 02:07:59 PM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on October 28, 2015, 08:07:23 AM

Quote from: Aloha007 on October 28, 2015, 05:41:10 AM
Live with it and as the coating begins to wear then decide what to do.

^^^ This!

I dont believe what I am about to say, but I am with Al on this one.

Just messing with ya buddy.
Let the O.D. green get some nice wear on.

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2015, 02:35:13 PM

Everybody is smurffooting around the real answer: Get another Izula, one to keep standard, and one to mod!

NKlamerus · **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2015, 04:54:11 PM

Quote from: Gerhard Gerber on October 28, 2015, 02:35:13 PM

Everybody is smurffooting around the real answer: Get another Izula, one to keep standard, and one to mod!

I was afraid someone would say that!!

It's only money, right?

NKlamerus · **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2015, 01:21:00 AM

And so it begins

zoidberg · **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2015, 01:22:27 AM

NKlamerus · **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:35:12 AM

Quote from: zoidberg on November 05, 2015, 01:22:27 AM

opcorn:

Almost done with the first 2 hours!

Only 3 maybe 4 more to go! (For one side).........

NKlamerus · **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2015, 03:18:35 AM

Pulled the etchant off but forgot to snap a photo

end of round 1

Onto round 2

NKlamerus · **Reply #15 on:** November 05, 2015, 04:26:46 AM

Forgot the picture again.....

Might be the last hour, but I doubt it.

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2015, 07:27:15 AM

indeed.....

Would you mind explaining your methods and materials a bit?

NKlamerus · **Reply #17 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:55:46 PM

Quote from: Gerhard Gerber on November 05, 2015, 07:27:15 AM

opcorn: indeed.....

Would you mind explaining your methods and materials a bit?

Yeah its super simple,

Materials

Knife to Etch, Radioshack PCB Etchant, drinking straw, toilet paper, timer, soap/brush, and vaseline.

1) lay the knife down as level as possible, take vaseline and make "walls" to hold the pcb etchant over the logos.

(Some people put nail polish on the blade edge to protect it, as long as you are careful you don't really need it)

2) Use a drinking straw to dab etchant out of the bottle and onto the logos. Some people use an eye dropper but I just put my finger over the top end of the straw and released when ready.

3) start the timer. Most people start with a 2 hour increment

4) after 2 hours, pull the etchant off with the toilet paper, then wash with soapy water and the brush

5) check the detail of the etch, if you are losing detail it's time to stop, if it's not deep enough repeat steps 1-3 all over again but for a 1 hour increment

Usually each side of the knife takes 5 to 6 hours

NKlamerus · **Reply #18 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:56:24 PM

I'm at 5.5 hours right now

NKlamerus · **Reply #19 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:57:07 PM

I think my vaseline is interfering, probably should wipe the blade down with alcohol before/after every etch

NKlamerus · **Reply #20 on:** November 06, 2015, 07:10:42 AM

Final Product!

Final Thoughts: it's not as deep as I'd like. But I'm starting to lose detail.

Next time I need to do it outside just for the warmer temp. Or maybe heat up the etchant first.

Aloha · **Reply #21 on:** November 06, 2015, 04:36:26 PM

Looks pretty good as compared to your initial pics

. How you liking this blade? Are you carrying it in your knee brace still

?

pfrsantos · **Reply #22 on:** November 06, 2015, 05:11:28 PM

Quote from: NKlamerus on November 05, 2015, 02:55:46 PM

Quote from: Gerhard Gerber on November 05, 2015, 07:27:15 AM
opcorn: indeed.....

Would you mind explaining your methods and materials a bit?
Yeah its super simple,

Materials

Knife to Etch, Radioshack PCB Etchant, drinking straw, toilet paper, timer, soap/brush, and vaseline.

1) lay the knife down as level as possible, take vaseline and make "walls" to hold the pcb etchant over the logos.

(Some people put nail polish on the blade edge to protect it, as long as you are careful you don't really need it)

2) Use a drinking straw to dab etchant out of the bottle and onto the logos. Some people use an eye dropper but I just put my finger over the top end of the straw and released when ready.

3) start the timer. Most people start with a 2 hour increment

4) after 2 hours, pull the etchant off with the toilet paper, then wash with soapy water and the brush

5) check the detail of the etch, if you are losing detail it's time to stop, if it's not deep enough repeat steps 1-3 all over again but for a 1 hour increment

Usually each side of the knife takes 5 to 6 hours

When putting the etchant over the logos, did you first cover all of them with vaseline and then cleaned/draw the logo designs and letters? In your pics, looks like you just "flooded" the area with etchant...

NKlamerus · **Reply #23 on:** November 06, 2015, 05:33:11 PM

Quote from: pfrsantos on November 06, 2015, 05:11:28 PM

Quote from: NKlamerus on November 05, 2015, 02:55:46 PM
Quote from: Gerhard Gerber on November 05, 2015, 07:27:15 AM
opcorn: indeed.....

Would you mind explaining your methods and materials a bit?
Yeah its super simple,

Materials

Knife to Etch, Radioshack PCB Etchant, drinking straw, toilet paper, timer, soap/brush, and vaseline.

1) lay the knife down as level as possible, take vaseline and make "walls" to hold the pcb etchant over the logos.

(Some people put nail polish on the blade edge to protect it, as long as you are careful you don't really need it)

2) Use a drinking straw to dab etchant out of the bottle and onto the logos. Some people use an eye dropper but I just put my finger over the top end of the straw and released when ready.

3) start the timer. Most people start with a 2 hour increment

4) after 2 hours, pull the etchant off with the toilet paper, then wash with soapy water and the brush

5) check the detail of the etch, if you are losing detail it's time to stop, if it's not deep enough repeat steps 1-3 all over again but for a 1 hour increment

Usually each side of the knife takes 5 to 6 hours

When putting the etchant over the logos, did you first cover all of them with vaseline and then cleaned/draw the logo designs and letters? In your pics, looks like you just "flooded" the area with etchant...

I did flood lol

The logos are cut through the green coating at the factory with a laser.

This is what they look like out of the box.

They look indented already but all you're seeing is the depth of the green coating on the steel.

I used vaseline to surround the logos, so when I flood over the logos the etchant won't run down and hit the edge.

Little deeper now

pfrsantos · **Reply #24 on:** November 06, 2015, 06:04:55 PM

I think I got it. The factory coating served as a stencil, protecting the metal. Only the logo part was affected, because the metal was exposed there. No need to be very careful, flooding worked perfectly.

Thanks!

NKlamerus · **Reply #25 on:** November 08, 2015, 04:37:22 AM

Quote from: pfrsantos on November 06, 2015, 06:04:55 PM

I think I got it. The factory coating served as a stencil, protecting the metal. Only the logo part was affected, because the metal was exposed there. No need to be very careful, flooding worked perfectly.

Thanks!

Spot on Brother!

Only issue now is rust. If I remember correctly it's 1095. Just have to keep up the maitenece!