~Decorative Etching & Gilding~

All the projects on this page feature etched detail on either the hilt or blade (or both). In some cases the lower etched details are darkened against a brighter steel background. In other cases the etching is picked out in gold or silver, using faux gilding. This technique uses very fine metal dust suspended in varnish to coat the etched area. This is often used in conjunction with bluing of the surrounding steel. Etched details can also be filled with colored epoxy to mimic enameling.