Blade polishing

Michael_Aos

Michael_Aos

Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
1,639
I recently repolished a 1095 high-carbon steel blade. First with some generic paste, then with Flitz. It came out reasonably well. It's shiny, but has a bunch of small scratches. I've been using paper towels to do the actual polishing and I'm starting to suspect they are causing the scratches -- is this likely? I don't have a good "feel" for the relative hardness of things, but I know paper towels will scratch glass, so it seems likely. Wish I'd realized this sooner.

Mike
 
Michael, use a clean cloth for the job. I have been wrapping blades and wiping blades with old t-shirts cut into rags. I wash these rags in the machine to keep them clean and fluffy!
 
I typically also use the very softest cloth I can find, with good results. I usually look for a cotton/flannel type of cloth in our household box of rags. On the other hand, I received a chamois made from deer skin when I purchased my last custom knife. It does even a better job of getting greasy fingerprints off the knives than a plain cloth and leaves no scratches. I imagine you could get the same results from a pair of deer skin gloves that you might pick up at your local hardware store.
 
Mike, what degree of polish did you get on the blade? Mirror finish? The reason I'm asking is that I have a few favorite user knives with satin finishes that I would like to bring to mirror finishes. Since I don't own any motorized equipment (Dremel, etc.), I'm attempting to do this through hand-rubbing. (I'm a glutton for punishment with time on my hands). You mentioned Flitz but I understand that there are two types--one slightly abrasive and the other "non-abrasive." (I use the latter). Which one are you using? Someone mentioned good results with "Mother's Mag Polish" (not sure about the correct name)I might try that product. Anyone else have suggestions? Thanks.
 
I did sacrifice a tee-shirt to experiment with. I like the results much better.

Being recently seperated, I find myself without a "box of rags" to pick through.

Any good commercial rag / hand-polishing suggestions? I've seem a few things at Sams but I'm not sure how to evaluate them.

Mike
 
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