Anyone know how to stonewash a blade.

S

smcjoecohen@yahoo

Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
515
I've seen some stuff on "How it's made" about stonewashing steel. They used these pink cones, they look like halloween candy corn, they were smooth, maybe ceramic. The device spun slowly and agitated the cones slightly, then just put the steel in the mix and let it go. I'm wondering if anyone knows details. (What it's called, where to buy). I want to polish and stonewash one of my Strider blades that's currently tiger Stripes. I want an SMF CC Ranger Green all Stonewashed but can't find one. I got a GG a couple of months ago instead of the CC, they were both available at website. I wanted both and went w/the GG 1st. I should have got the CC because there are GG's available at another site. Been watching ebay but no luck yet. Definitely want the new lockup.
 
I don't have a tumbler for polishing stone/casings. I use my dryer.
I use a mix of 1-2" smooth creek stone, some 3/4 -1 " jagged stone, some SANDSTONE about 1/2-3/4 (we have plenty of sandstone here, but if you don't use small chunks of concrete, it is made from sand), and throw in some cracked tempered glass to make sure the ricasso crevices are hit.
The sandstone starts to pulverize in the spin, adding some smaller scratches, then acts as a buffer on the larger stones in the later part of the spin, preventing a "peened" finish, and boosting the scratch finish.
I use a container just big enough to hold about 2 handfuls of this mixture and the parts I want finished. One knife at a time.
Then spray about 4-5 squirts of WD-40 into the mix, right before I seal the container. If you see a pool of liquid, you have sprayed too much, and it MAY leak out. WD-40 is a dispersant and will go into vapor while leaving a dry residue on the stone to help lubricate and clean the parts as it works.
I seal the tin and seal the foam with good tape and after 15-20 projects, have never had any WD-40 leak out. It seems to be absorbed by the powdered sandstone.
Then wrap that container with a packing foam, and throw into the dryer for 90 minutes.
Make sure of three things.
1. That your dryer has a "cold" setting. I am not sure what evaporated WD-40 would do in a hot dryer and a sealed container ( and using flint rock might be another no no. I just don't know, haven't tried, LOL).
2. You pay attention to the dryer. Some dryers have tubs that only the tubs spins, the back is stationary. If the container gets wedged between paddle and the back, bad things can happen if you are not paying attention.
3. throw a couple of towels in the tub. This will quieten the rolling thunder.

Here is where I bought my tins for doing this.
http://www.specialtybottle.com/teatincontainersmi.aspx
I bought two of the Tws-6, but have yet to wear one out.
Here are a couple of pics of my mix, and my equipment.

tin2.jpg


pad1.jpg


this after the wash, the sandstone is mostly gone, but you can still see some powder, and those small pieces are the tempered glass.
smix.jpg


Not WD-40, but the same thing
lube.jpg


And here are some of my results
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/929524-My-Spyderco-Mods
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...pyderco-PPT-Outlander?p=10625856#post10625856
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top