CPM 440V Mirror polish

[brembo]

Is it even possible to get this steel to a mirror polish? I just spent a hour or so with a dremel and some VERY abrasive compund gettin a scratch out. I was kinda considering makin the whole blade a mirror finish. I have done a few searches on "polish" and come up with some references to FLINTZ(sp?). I dunno what that is, but I'm guessin its a very fine polish compound. Also, can ya do the grunt work with a dremel? Or do ya need elbow grease for this endeavour? Thanks alot y'all.

Dan

 

[Frank Niro]

I don' believe you can get a good polish on 440-V with a buffing wheel but you go to the hand finishing it will start to look pretty good after 600 grit. A dremel is not the machine for doing large areas. You would end up getting a very uneven spotty type finish.

 

[skyman]

Good luck ! If you are after mirror finishes you picked the wrong steel.

The vanadium content results in vanadium carbides being formed which give the steel the high abrasion resistant characteristics. This results in good edge retention etc., but also works against you when you are trying to get a mirror polish or fine hand rubbed finish.

Many users just stop after a machine brushed finish with this type of steel. A hand rubbed satin finish is possible with lots of elbow grease, but will take longer with this steel.

If you are into mirror polishing it would be best to stick with the old standards such as 440-c, 154-CM, ATS-34, or something similar which take a high polish.

 

[brembo]

Well, its a Spydie Military. I was just lookin for a weekend project on a rainy day. No big loss, does VG-10 plish up well? I have a LUM folder I'm itching to take apart too. Thanks guys.