Final polish on convexed blades?

[BePrepared]

I have just finished re-profiling all of my knives with my Worksharp WSKTS. They are all hair shaving sharp, but i would like to restore a full polish to them now that i've fully convexed them

The primary example here is my hanwei tactical wakizashi. The blade is convexed and has a beautifully sharp edge, but it's not quite as mirror polished as i'd like

I bought some various polishing compounds (White, Brown, and yellow) and have applied the brown to the blade then used the 3000 grit belt to try to bring up a little more polish

it doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot.... can someone clue me in?

 

[lonepine]

I'm still learning how to bring a blade to a mirror finish nor have I used a buffer but in my experience it is necessary to start with sand paper aggressive enough to get rid of the largest scratches, and then progressively work to finer and finer grits. I've gone to 2000 grit and finished it up with metal polish. Try wearing some magnifiers as you do this. I think it makes the little scratches more obvious so that you will work harder to get the scratches out.

I think this type of work is better when done wet. I've been doing it in my kitchen sink starting with the 600 grit paper and finer.

Also, some metals don't shine up a nicely as others. D2 is one that doesn't shine well.

- Paul Meske

 

[Frank Niro]

Brown or tripoli won't polish steel.The white might work after usiung belts down to say 16 3M or 20 Norton. AS well do you really have a 3000 grit belt? If it is 300 it woin't be near fine enough .

 

[Mike Davis]

You might try a leather belt with some polishing compound or even a .5 micron diamond spray.

 

[jdm61]

Cork belt with the grit knocked off and some kind of polishing compound perhaps?