Defacing a shiny blade

texasflyfisher

texasflyfisher

Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
1,911
Being still relatively new to the traditional slipjoint club, I have picked up a half dozen Case XX knives now (all SS, no CV yet). I love 'em but the mirror polished blades kind of drive me crazy. Basically, I constantly wipe the blades with my shirt because of the smudges and fingerprints.

Now, I have SAKs that basically had the same issue and I scratched 'em up using them so eventually I didn't worry about it . The Case knives though are so pretty! Eventually I have to let the same thing happen since they were bought as users not safe queens.

I am curious though if anyone uses super fine grit paper to purposely remove the mirror finish to make it a satin finish instead or is that considered heresy? I understand the mirror finish supposedly helps with resistance to rust staining but since they are SS, it can't be any worse taking care of the satin finished SS than say a carbon blade, right?
 
I'm not sure that you could do anything to their stainless blades to make them rust...surely there must be a way. Ever think of moving to Florida for a couple months? j/k...just spent a week in Florida and EVERYTHING rusts there. I live in CA and have never so much as oiled a carbon blade in my whole life and have never seen rust on my blades EVER.
 
You could try rubbing it with steel wool I hear that's what is used to obtain a satin finish
 
I'v scuffed Case blades in the past. It works good to remove the mirror finish. You can also use scotch brite after that.
 
Scothbrite or sandpaper wrapped around a sponge, use same direction strokes across the blade and you can get a nice brushed finish, or you can use a scotchbrite and get a matte finish.
 
Strop it on your jeans a few times. That was enough to kill the polish on my CV blade.
 
Thanks y'all. Well, I had some Scotchbrite and took it to a recently purchase Stagbone peanut. I went with a brushed look. It came out OK. I did have to resharpen the blades on a diamond stone to get them back to razor sharp status. I am still considering whether to do the same on a Case Sway Back Jack I just got today.

Before:
img_1103.jpg


After:
img_1109.jpg
img_1111.jpg
 
Do not use steel wool on stainless blades , it will invite rust as bits of the wool remain on the surface. Use Scotchbrite or 400 or 600 grit abrasive paper. I HATE shine and do this with anything shiney ,knives ,guns etc.
 
Sorry, Mete-if the steel wool is wiped off the blade it will not cause rust.
Steel wool will not scratch or resurface a shiny knife blade.
 
Of course it's true. I don't post falsehoods, nor things I'm not sure of.
You may be able to barely scuff the finish if you try real hard. I use 0000 sttel wool extensively in my restoration work on both knives and guns. Gun steel (and bluing) is much softer than knife blades.
Bill
 
Looks good. The only issue with using scotchbrite is that it will have to be touched up from time to time. Those scratches are very fine and will smooth out again allowing the shine to return. Not a big deal, just thought I'd mention it.
 
Thanks for the additional suggestions. I've done some more passes with scotchbrite and then buffed it slightly to get a more satin appearance. Looks better. Kind of gives it an antique used look now. I like it.

So-Lo,

You know, I actually didn't think I was going to like the peanut all that much but that little bitty knife has really grown on me. I am carrying it again today instead of the Sway Back Jack. However, DON'T ever ask people, "Do you want to see my peanut?" because you'll get some funny looks!
 
texasflyfisher said:
So-Lo,

You know, I actually didn't think I was going to like the peanut all that much but that little bitty knife has really grown on me. I am carrying it again today instead of the Sway Back Jack. However, DON'T ever ask people, "Do you want to see my peanut?" because you'll get some funny looks!
Click to expand...

I have a few and I love them. Now a stag is on the must buy list. I always carry a bigger knife with them, but 90% of my EDC cutting could be done with a peanut.

Looks great in satin!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top