Bead Blasted Kershaws–What Polish?

[SladeGT40]

Hey guys,
Mostly i hang out in the Kershaw Forums, but i recently decided i needed some tips on maintenance. For the most part my knives are EDCs and occasional users, so i never really thought about polishes and stuff like that. A little while ago i had to send a knife back to kershaw because of blade discoloration that turned out to be nothing more than a blood stain from cutting a steak for the fun of it. I decided i should actually learn about things that go beyond the normal wash dry and lubricate.

So, i ask you: what is the best method for removing superficial rust spots and discoloration on bead blasted or mirror polished blades?

thanks in advance,


Matt

 

[Morrow]

Hey guys,
Mostly i hang out in the Kershaw Forums, but i recently decided i needed some tips on maintenance. For the most part my knives are EDCs and occasional users, so i never really thought about polishes and stuff like that. A little while ago i had to send a knife back to kershaw because of blade discoloration that turned out to be nothing more than a blood stain from cutting a steak for the fun of it. I decided i should actually learn about things that go beyond the normal wash dry and lubricate.

So, i ask you: what is the best method for removing superficial rust spots and discoloration on bead blasted or mirror polished blades?

thanks in advance,


Matt

I've had great success with Flitz metal polish.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

If you use a polish on a bead blasted blade you will get a shiny area that won't match the rest of the blade finish.

 

[Morrow]

If you use a polish on a bead blasted blade you will get a shiny area that won't match the rest of the blade finish.

I wouldn't think so unless you really but some effort into it. In my experience, those little surface rust spots come off quick and easy with Flitz.

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

If you use a polish on a bead blasted blade you will get a shiny area that won't match the rest of the blade finish.

yup you sure will... did just that tonight. You might not be able to notice it much but it will be different. And Yes I was using flitz... but then it was my user and its gonna get scuffed again... so I just reblasted it with glass bead.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

What do I know, anyway?
Bill

 

[Morrow]

yup you sure will... did just that tonight. You might not be able to notice it much but it will be different. And Yes I was using flitz... but then it was my user and its gonna get scuffed again... so I just reblasted it with glass bead.

I'm surprised by that. How long were you rubbing the blade with Flitz? Was the actual texture from the bead blasting smoothed out or did the Flitz make a "clean spot."

 

[John T Wylie Jr]

it definately changed the texture... but all should be a mute point on a user right ?

I tried a shot of WD40 after the flitz..and then windex , thinking it was just a clean spot , which it was cleaner but also changed the texture a bit...

 

[Morrow]

it definately changed the texture... but all should be a mute point on a user right ?

I tried a shot of WD40 after the flitz..and then windex , thinking it was just a clean spot , which it was cleaner but also changed the texture a bit...

learn something new everyday.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

"learn something new everyday."

Not, apparently from old Bill's experience!
Bill

 

[Dog of War]

What do I know, anyway?

A great deal, based on posts of yours I've read. And you're absolutely right that any polishing done on a bead blasted blade isn't going to match the original finish.

In fact, Matt, even if you could remove only the rust spots, the original finish would be cosmetically damaged. I agree with others that it's no big deal on a knife that's a user.

Now with that said ... what I've done with bead blasted blades is just give them a satin finish with 4/0 emery paper (800 grit) when they get to the point where they need a face lift. This is very quick and easy to do, it will actually take you far longer to remove any small scratches from use than it will to polish the bead blast.

Below is a picture of a Junkyard Dog II (bottom knife, originally bead blast) I refinished this way after shortening the blade a bit (top knife is a Kershaw NRG-2 with factory satin finish):

 

[SladeGT40]

interesting. i actually wasn't correct on my original post. because the knife in question was an Ener-G2 and i thought it was bead-blasted. anyone know if the old 440 mini mojo is bead blasted--my friend took it skiing and it came back with the superficial rust spots.