salt water etch along question

[Hummer3T]

should etching be done prior to or after tempering, etc. Does it matter? how does scaling affect the etch.

I'm sending away knife to get tempered, etc... I would like to have most things done prior, but just wondering best results.

[tomsm44]

I would etch after everything else is finished.  The etched marking will not be very deep and it'd be easy to sand through it while doing your final finish.  If stamping, you have to do it before heat treat.  Make sure to practice etching on a scrap piece of steel several times before doing it on your knife.  

Matt

[m midd]

I agree. My etch is the next to last step.