4

These are the barrels after they have developed a fine yellow / orange rust after about 4 hours in the rust cabinet. The rusting is stopped at this point and the barrels are placed in boiling water for about 5 minutes. To ensure the optimum contrast, it is important that barrels are prevented from progressing to the point where the barrels develop a thicker orange / red oxide. The boiling converts the yellow / orange ferous iron oxide to the black ferro-ferric oxide that is required for damascus black and white finishing.