I have a thrashed knife that I want to experiment on before I go ruining something I actually like. The question is how do I polish the blade? I was thinking about starting with 400 grit sandpaper and oil and just working my way to 1200 grit/oil. Am I on the right track?
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Dumb question - polishing a blade
- Thread starter Ropes4u
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- Oct 9, 1998
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Yes, but if you want mirror polish, you have to make sure you get all the scratches out before you move on to the next grit. If you just got it off the grinder, it might have some deep scratches. I usually take knives off the grinder from 220-grit. This leaves vertical grind lines. Then I take 220-grit sandpaper and hand sand with oil horizontally so the vertical scratches show up. Get all the vertical scratches out so you have a consistent horizontal scratch pattern.
After than, move to either 360 or 400 grit paper, and sand at a different angle, I do it at about 45 degrees. Sand ALL the horizontal scratches out. Examine it under the light to make sure you have no horizontal scratches. If you leave one scratch, it will come back to haunt you.
After 400 grit, move to 600 grit. Always change angles between grits, so this time you'll probably be going horizontal again. Make sure you sand out all the 400-grit scratches. After 600, go to the polishing papers in 800 to about 1500 or so grit, and then you can probably take it to a buffer, and white rouge. Be very careful with the buffer, never present a sharp edge or corner to the wheel, or it will snag and throw the knife at you (which could hurt).
I haven't succeded in making a good mirror finish yet (usually leave a scratch and find it at the end, get frustrated and go back to satin). Maybe you'll have better luck. Make sure you wash your blade between grits too to avoid contamination of the silicon carbide abrasives.
After than, move to either 360 or 400 grit paper, and sand at a different angle, I do it at about 45 degrees. Sand ALL the horizontal scratches out. Examine it under the light to make sure you have no horizontal scratches. If you leave one scratch, it will come back to haunt you.
After 400 grit, move to 600 grit. Always change angles between grits, so this time you'll probably be going horizontal again. Make sure you sand out all the 400-grit scratches. After 600, go to the polishing papers in 800 to about 1500 or so grit, and then you can probably take it to a buffer, and white rouge. Be very careful with the buffer, never present a sharp edge or corner to the wheel, or it will snag and throw the knife at you (which could hurt).
I haven't succeded in making a good mirror finish yet (usually leave a scratch and find it at the end, get frustrated and go back to satin). Maybe you'll have better luck. Make sure you wash your blade between grits too to avoid contamination of the silicon carbide abrasives.
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This is great! Our very own cardboard Changbenza maker has developed into a straight up for real knife maker and is now sharing the knowledge he has gained from the forums and his own experience. This is a perfect example of how important and beneficial Blade Forums is to us. Outstanding Eric!
Mark Williams
Moderator
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- Nov 28, 2000
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Very well said Chang.
Mark
Mark