Brushed look on a blade?

N

n8swag

Joined
Feb 4, 2012
Messages
687
Hi, so I'm making a couple knives, and instead of the mirror finish I was thinking I might try a "brushed look" finish. How should I do this? I was thinking some steel wool on a buffer...
 
Hand rubbing works better than a buffing wheel. Also, try Scotch Brite. Start with the least abrasive Scotch Brite to see what will work, and use a very light touch at first.
 
I never tried it, but steel wool on a buffer sounds dangerous. Most guys who want a brushed look that goes across the blade just use a scothbrite belt or a regular fine grit belt.
 
You can use sand paper and hand rub the blade. That's the only way I have done it. Let's see those pics man!
 
180 grit gator, very fine green scotchbrite belt with a tad of WD-40 sprayed on it while running.

Great working finish.
 
A very nice brushed look can be achieved by hand sanding to 400 and following that with scotchbrite; instead of using the scotchbite in belt form, hand hold a scotchbrite pad and stroke the blade from ricasso to tip. The finish done in this manner IMHO looks cleaner because the lines left by the scotchbrite run horizontally with the flow of the blade.
 
I use 400# paper hand rubbed with a light oil as a lubricant. Windex or water seems to help it cut better but oil makes a better satin finish. Some people even use 30 weight motor oil. I just use triflow.


-Xander
 
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