Recommendation? Cable Finishing

[Travis Talboys]

With all the extra home time lately, I decided to take a stab at making a blade from cable. So far everything has been going well. The welds look good, everything is forged out and the quench went well. The new blade is currently tempering as I write this.

My question is on how to best bring out the pattern. How high of a grit should I sand to? Do I need to polish it? If so, what is a decent polish? At what point do I etch it?

Any help would be appreciated.
Travis

 

[3fifty7]

I’ve done a couple at 400grit then fine scotchbrite and two 10 minute soaks in ferric.

 

[Tom Lewis]

When I finish wire Damascus I use 36,60,120,220,400, 22 Norax. Once I have the size I want with the 36 grit the other grits go fast. After the 22 Norax I hand sand with 400,500,600,800,1200 grit. It all goes fast. I think the key to hand sanding is the 22 Norax.
I don't polish or buff.
I etch in Muratic acid (Do this outside and don't breath it). Some like FeCl. I etch for 5 minutes, take out and lightly sand with 800 grit. I repeat this maybe five times or until I get the etch I like. Neutralize with windex and baking soda. I then use Birch Wood Casey bluing. I leave the bluing on 1 minute then under water sand with the used 800 grit sand paper.

 

[Travis Talboys]

Thank you 3fifty7 and Tom Lewis.

 

[Travis Talboys]

I finally finished it. I had a few setbacks with my handle, but I think it turned out pretty nice.

Thanks again for the advice.