Not starting a flame war or anything but I've always been polish guy. Need the opinion of guys that know metal,
I know that some current generation coatings are very good, and durable (as opposed to paint), but I've always believed that a polish is ALMOST as good as coating. Besides, the edge isn't coated and it's the most in need of protection
By that I mean when metal is polished sufficiently, it reduces the chance of rust taking hold. I don't know the actual metalurgy, but I seem to recall an argument for polishing that implied that the higher sheen reduced the chance of rust by bringing the grain to a common level or something about porosity. The argument also contained something about polishing swords not as a decorative thing but a way to slow down corrosion. When I've seen stainless show signs of rust it's always been with a brushed or satin finish. On boats when metals are used the polished ones always seem to hold up better.
Am I imagining things or is there something there?
I know that some current generation coatings are very good, and durable (as opposed to paint), but I've always believed that a polish is ALMOST as good as coating. Besides, the edge isn't coated and it's the most in need of protection
By that I mean when metal is polished sufficiently, it reduces the chance of rust taking hold. I don't know the actual metalurgy, but I seem to recall an argument for polishing that implied that the higher sheen reduced the chance of rust by bringing the grain to a common level or something about porosity. The argument also contained something about polishing swords not as a decorative thing but a way to slow down corrosion. When I've seen stainless show signs of rust it's always been with a brushed or satin finish. On boats when metals are used the polished ones always seem to hold up better.
Am I imagining things or is there something there?