I'm doing a custom 7" chef in W2 with a hamon. My 2nd attempt ever at a hamon. Get down to 2000 grit and found a very small short crack near the tip nder the microscope. Reprofiled and reground and back to 2000, etch, sand buff etc. had the hamon looking great. Etched my logo onto the blade. After the first cycle of only a few seconds I pealed the stencil back to see how it looked. Ahhhhh Crap, stencil was backwards. Guess you could read it in a mirror. Fortunately the etch was very shallow and easily hand sanded out at this point. Phew, that would have been stupid but would have looked great on the wall of shame.
I have blown an etch or two. They grind out and the blade gets more slicy. Sometimes it works in one's favour. Finished product looks good. Like it belongs in my kitchen. I like the way you have the type of steel in the centre of your maker's mark.
