Finish is to fine?

Dale Baxter

Dale Baxter

Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
171
At what point is a finish to fine for a working knife?
99% of my knives are hand rubbed to 2000+ grit, (that's simply the way I learned to finish)
I was talking with some other makers at the Spirit of steel show and I was told that my finishes were to fine? Now I kind of pride myself with the ability to show a frosty temperline with a lot of activity without etching the blade in some sort of acid.

To me, it's a working knife because of the style and materials...not the finish. When you use the blade in the field the finish will hold unless you his something hard, in that case a 400-600 finish would receive the same amount of damage.

Just a thought...

Dale Baxter
www.baxterknives.com
 
The problem with going to a higher finish is that it takes you longer to do. This will mean one of two things; either you will have to charge more for the knife or you will not charge for the extra time it takes and therefore not get proper compensation for the work you put into it. The first is only a problem if people think they are paying too much for one of your knives. The second is a problem if you are not making enough on each knife to make it worth your while.

It is up to you how you finish your knives. There is nothing wrong with having a high standard. It will be up to the people purchasing your knives to decide if the finish is better than they are willing to pay for (that is if you are charging more for this higher finish). If this has not been a problem with your customers then I can't see where there is any problem at all.
 
Dale,
In my view; How much of yourself you invest in
your work is an expression of who you are, what
you believe, and how much you love what you do,
and nobody can decide for you how much is too much.

Russ
 
Who is to say how much is too much? I agree with Russ-set your own standards.

Look at D'Holder's knives.

Daniel
 
I caught him trying to sneak in the window one night!;)

Thanks,

Daniel
 
I believe that the finish should suit the type of task that the knife will be called upon to do. A hand rubbed finish to 400 and buffed lightly on a loose wheel on a carry knife will still look good and is less time consuming. On higher end pieces, a 2000 finish is more then appropriate. But, if a knifemaker enjoys doing fine finishes on his knives to make'em stand out from the rest, I think that is fine also. Knife making is very indiviualistic! :)
 
The issue of what finish to do is individual as already said...

A lower grit finish, hand rubbed is quicker, easier, and hides any nicks and scratches easier and if re-finishing is required is also quicker. I would say IMHO, that a nice satin hand rubbed finish is more beautiful than a polish, perhaps a 2000grit finish is too close to mirror polish.

Also depends on the knife.

However, I agree that a high grit grade is required to bring out the temper lines. I also have used up to 2000+ grit to show them. AND I GOT THE SAME COMMENTS AS YOURS !!!

I have now taken to finishing up to 1500-2000, buffing to a mirror polish, etch in ferric chloride, buff again - this will show the temper line but differently, then back to a 1500 satin hand rub for a crisp satin finish PLUS a temper line. The longer you buff after the etch, the whiter and frostier the temper line will come out. Play with it and see if you like it.
 
Dale,

There is about five and a half ton's of wisdom in what Russ said. My only question is what do your customers say? Russ put's a fine finish on his knives and I have never heard anything but wonderfull coments about them.

My katana has a 1500 grit finish, and has some light scratches on it from cutting. To me it looks no worse that a 400 grit blade with scratches from cutting.

It is hard to keep an open mind on different techniques and methods in an effort to constantly improve. While at the same time ridgidly holding to the elements that give your knives their consistent personality that defines your work.
 
some good advice above.................

I have always felt that if I am my worse critic......my knives will be well received by even the pickiest customer.
 
I think a few work scratches on a field blade are like
scratches on a rifle stock.....

They add caracter, and maybe bring back a
few memories.

P.S. Thanks Bailey

Russ
 
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