ZDI carbon - ladder damascus (Steps)

Carbon Damascus steel from Zladinox with the "Steps/Ladder Damascus" pattern, 150 layers. 
This damascus is less prone to corrosion than conventional carbon damascus.

ZDI Carbon is a carbon-tungsten steel with low resistance to rust.

Properties

• Very high sharpness
• High wear resistance and edge retention
• High toughness
• For fine edges
• Low corrosion resistance

Chemical composition

Component A: C75
Component B: 100X5Mo

Chemical mixed analysis

• C: 1,0%
• Cr: 3,15%
• W: 0,7%
• Mn: 0,2%
• Ni: 0,15%
• Si: 0,2%
• V: 0,3%

Heat treatment / Zladinox carbon hardening

• Hardening: 960 - 980°C (oil)
• Tempering: 2 hours at 180°C
• Hardness: ~62 HRC

Zladinox carbon carbon damascus etching

Dark etching:

Before etching, the blade should have a hand finish (lengthwise) with grit 1500.
For wet sanding, the sandpaper should be wrapped around a hard backing (e.g., file or a piece of steel/brass/wood).

Step 1: 10 minutes in ferric chloride (10% - 15%)
Step 2: Sand lengthwise under running water with sandpaper (K2000)
Step 3: 5 minutes in ferric chloride (10% - 15%)
Step 4: Sand lengthwise under running water with sandpaper (K3000)

Steps 3 & 4 can be repeated as needed.
Alternatively, the knife can be placed in coffee grounds (strong instant coffee, water-coffee ratio: 2:1) for 4-12 hours afterwards.

Light etching:

Step 1: 15 minutes in ferric chloride (10% - 15%)
Step 2: Polish on a soft buffing wheel with fine paste.