I finally got a hamon to show up after etch and polish!!

The clay on the blade ready to go in the forge.

In the fire!

For those of you not familiar with a hamon go here.

After fiddling about with getting a hamon to show up, it has finally happened.  I cracked a few blades getting the water then oil quench method down pat.  I found that if I leave the blades a little thicker before hardening it helps with survivability.  I moved the etchant a little closer to the fire and I think that may have helped with the reaction.   The cold really slows down the chemical reaction.   There is a few more blades in the process of being forged with a hamon.   I'm going to try a damascus blade very soon.

After the etch in ferric chloride.  Reminds me of an Orca

The edge sharpened and a the polish complete.