Carbon steel that is the easiest to mirror finish?

[flatgrinder]

Which carbon steel is the easiest to mirror finish? And produces the best finish (ie. no weird tractor tread grain or anything like that)?

01, 1095, 1084, 5160, 52100?

Would I be correct in assuming the less carbon, the easier to mirror polish or does it depend on whether it is spherodized annealed or how clean the steel is?

 

[Barkes Knife Shop]

For me the 1095 - 1084 - 52100 works the same way. Great steel to work with. It's the best in my book for a using knife.:thumbup:

 

[TekSec]

I would think the higher the chromium content, the easier to polish...IMO

 

[A C Richards]

Why Mirror polish. So long as you do not etch any of these steels they will all take a mirror polish. But a mirror polish is like a new shiny Stainless refrigerator. The first time you touch it it looks like S#$t. Your fingers will scratch a mirror polish blade. Look at it long enough and your stare will too. As you can tell I really do not like mirror polish on blades. Just not practical IMHO. Not even for a safe queen.

 

[flatgrinder]

Why Mirror polish. So long as you do not etch any of these steels they will all take a mirror polish. But a mirror polish is like a new shiny Stainless refrigerator. The first time you touch it it looks like S#$t. Your fingers will scratch a mirror polish blade. Look at it long enough and your stare will too. As you can tell I really do not like mirror polish on blades. Just not practical IMHO. Not even for a safe queen.

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm interested in making a few Scagel-style camp knives and thought a mirror finish is what he used.

 

[A C Richards]

I've seen Scagles done in both mirror and hand rubbed finishes. I like the look of the hand rub better. The biggest problem with a mirror finish is it does not stay that way. If you really want to do one then give it a try. I find it more agrivating than doing hamons. Don't let my opinion sway your determination. I am only one person and there are many other opinions out there. Good luck and by all means have FUN

 

[Longstrider]

So many people say "shiny" as if it's a bad thing...



At least with a well polished knife, the s**t doesn't have anything it can stick to.