Finally figured out how to get a mirror finish without a buffer or hand sanding

To my eye, a dual finished surface looks fabulous on certain knives. If I planned to do a mirror polish it wouldn't be on the primary bevel. Might look okay (again, to me) on the flats, then a machined finish on the primary, and of course, with a mirror edge.

I prefer a machined primary (vertical), coupled with a horizontal hand rubbed flat. HallHandmade does a similar grind pretty frequently and it looks outstanding, especially in person.
 
"I don't think anyone was being harsh, rude or otherwise. I certainly tried to word that in such a way that it DIDN'T sound that way."

You can't help it.

I've been lurking here for years.

As well-intentioned as you may be, you come across like an _______.

Fill in the blank.

And please, don't take offense to it... I tried to word it in such a way that it DIDN'T sound like I was calling you an _______.

Fill in the blank.
 
Altofsky said:
"I don't think anyone was being harsh, rude or otherwise. I certainly tried to word that in such a way that it DIDN'T sound that way."

You can't help it.

I've been lurking here for years.

As well-intentioned as you may be, you come across like an _______.

Fill in the blank.

And please, don't take offense to it... I tried to word it in such a way that it DIDN'T sound like I was calling you an _______.

Fill in the blank.
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Im sorry, WHAT? I honestly dont even know what you are trying to say

Edit: I was very tired when i posted this and did not read it what you said correctly
 
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I am keen to see pictures! please post them up. Id like to try this to get semi mirror polish etc on some of my knives (I am not a fan of true mirror polishes- lucky me! :D )
 
ndp_2010 said:
I am keen to see pictures! please post them up. Id like to try this to get semi mirror polish etc on some of my knives (I am not a fan of true mirror polishes- lucky me! :D )
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Well they are a bit more than semi mirror, if i would have went to the next few grits im sure it could be considered a true mirror. The high rpm of the disc makes quick work of all other scratches and scuffs. I honestly dont know why I have not thought about this before
 
This is pretty much the way I learned to start a mirror finish on a knife from Bill Schiller back in the late '80's. He had a flat aluminum disc that had a cork face mounted on a motor. You stuck your paper to it using a non-hardening adhesive, and use that to quickly obtain your pre-mirror finish. Quite a good method for for flat grinds. But you still need a buffer to take it to a true mirror polish. I'm pretty sure I still have one of the machines stashed away in the basement. I'll try to get a picture of it this week.
 
Here is the knife that I hand sanded through all the grits up to 2000. Then used my buffer with green then red compound.
(took the pix before I got it all cleaned up ... forgot to take one all done ... slap!)

ic3s.jpg
 
Altofsky said:
"I don't think anyone was being harsh, rude or otherwise. I certainly tried to word that in such a way that it DIDN'T sound that way."

You can't help it.

I've been lurking here for years.

As well-intentioned as you may be, you come across like an _______.

Fill in the blank.

And please, don't take offense to it... I tried to word it in such a way that it DIDN'T sound like I was calling you an _______.

Fill in the blank.
Click to expand...

Well, the appropriate way to say this was by PM, but since you elected to not recieve them, we will do this in the thread, as trashy as that may be. Here is the clean version of what was to be a PM to you:

Telling someone they are being an a------ ; is being a p---- and an a------ at the same time. And saying 'no offense' doesn't cover the five times you call someone an a------.

I type the way I talk. I dont surround things in pleasantries and tell people what I think very directly. If this is taken as being an a------- as you put it, then so be it. I do certainly compliment at the same time, especially when it is due.

I have been working these materials for years, know my metallurgy, started working steel 20 years ago and also started into design and fabrication at that age. I have successful designs in several related industries, and beta test for s couple of companies. I have a resume when it comes to using a knife that trumps most, and I think my work stands for itself. When someone wants an opinion, I offer it in the hopes they will learn from my mistakes and successes and shorten their learning curve. Do I surround it with needless banter? No, but why should I. And furthermore, I paid to be here, so I use that privilidge to discuss my work from time to time.

If you would prefer to say something to my face rsther than drop out of the ether to post on a thread, please oay me a visit. I'll be glad to show you a good time. You might even learn a thing or two.

These young makers often have smoke blown up their kiester. They are at an opportune time to develop and become a real talent in the craft. If they hear the truth, and not just 'oooo's and aaaaah's' because of their age then they can truly grow.

And sometimes I post a smart-a-- reply to those who tend to spread a bunch of crap around here and have no experience to back it up. Their critiques of someone else's hard work when they've never touched a piece of steel? Now that's being an a------.

Cheers. Good luck with all of your endeavors.
-Eric
 
GaryPogueCustomKnife said:
Im sorry, WHAT? I honestly dont even know what you are trying to say
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Gary, he was talking to me and using your thread to call me an a------. I believe you took my statement the way it was meant, and you also read my compliments to you. Ignore such rudeness and continue in your endeavors.

Glad you discovered French kissing. Practice often and always with a partner!

-Eric
 
LucyCustomKnives said:
Gary, he was talking to me and using your thread to call me an a------. I believe you took my statement the way it was meant, and you also read my compliments to you. Ignore such rudeness and continue in your endeavors.

Glad you discovered French kissing. Practice often and always with a partner!

-Eric
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Haha yeah, I read what he posted wrong, probably because I was very tired and thought something else of it, now i see what he actually said
 
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm

Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

*****thinks this over*****

Okay, on reflection (after re-reading your initial comment Eric) YOU weren't really a tad harsh merely a teeny, tiny bit snarky to the kid and I agree that 1500 grit is not even close to mirrored.

I do, however stick to what I said, that to >99% of the world a 1500 grit finish is mirror polished (for all intents and purposes). The <1% of us who know what a TRUE mirror finish really is are blessed with knowledge beyond that of "most" mere mortals.

Many years ago I was privileged to make my first knives in Tim Wright's shop when he was here in Chicago. To say I was (and still am) in awe of his design skills, machining ability and eyes is an understatement. Tim, to those who know him, is a knifemaker's knifemaker. Nothing leaves his shop that isn't flawless to his eye. He possesses A far more critical eye that any of us mere mortals do. I saw Tim spend days hand sanding to achieve a flawless mirror finish, not because his client would know the difference but because HE would. I brought Tim knives by some of the greatest makers of that day. Having him explain those designs, and constructions was amazing. Not that I owned one but the maker Tim admired the most was James Schneider and I remember him saying that he looked forward owning one of Jim's knives someday (I should ask him if he ever got his hands on one). All I'm saying is that those sensibilities he instilled in me have remained with me to this day. He was endlessly patient with a clumsy novice and encouraging to a fault. I think the inhabitants of BF owe EXACTLY that kind of encouragement to the next generation of knifemakers.

In no way, shape, or form was I disparaging you, Eric, personally.

Corey "synthesist" Gimbel
 
Gotta agree with Lucy here. many times on these forums I see back slapping and high fives, which are nice, but constructive criticism can help a lot more. I believe Gary is mature enough to understand this. I am not condoning being harsh or straight up rude, but there is a point where people who ask for opinions should get true honest opinions, not just praised as if the knife is the very incarnation of Bob Loveless himself. Many makers like myself, and I assume Gary, as well as many others desire to improve, and the way to achieve that is by having faults that you may be unaware of, pointed out by others with more knowledge or skill.
 
I'm open to tips and tricks etc. I only take offense to things if you say things like "your a real stupid s.o.b., aren't you?" And the like. But if you say it isn't a true mirror, and explain to me what is, not only will I have learned, but gain knowledge from it :)
 
Gary if I were you I would seek advice from people that spend more time making knives than posting on forums. Try to find a maker nearby and meet in real life.

Congrats on your coverage by Blade magazine.
 
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