Finishing an Alabama Damascus blank

[mcilfilm]

I purchased my first damascus blade from Alabama Damascus and it looks great.
Got a great deal as it has some imperfections in the pin holes.
It is already hardened/heat treated.

Here are my questions/issues.

1. It has some residual marks from the water jetting and I would like to smooth them out on a drum sander.
Also has a few inconsistencies in the finger choils. Would also like to deal with these on the drum sander.
It will require some actual material removal. What are my concerns here?

2. It also has some light vertical grinding lines in the hollow grind.
I have dealt with these types of lines on other steels like 440c with sandpaper on a wheel, ending in about 400 grit.
Will I have issues with trying this on this Damascus? Or is there a preferred method?

It is also covered with a very shiny coating which I will want to remove. Should I sand it or is there a common remover for this?

Will I re-etch blade when finished.

Thanks for all of your help.

Rob.

 

[Kevin Jones]

BF has a specific forum specifically for these type question and discussions.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/741-Shop-Talk-BladeSmith-Questions-and-Answers

I don't get it, are the Knife maker Discussion Forums not visible to Basic Members?

 

[mcilfilm]

Post has been moved to Knifemakers Discussion Forum.
My apologies. Did not mean to cause any grief.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Post has been moved to Knifemakers Discussion Forum.
My apologies. Did not mean to cause any grief.

No grief, and sorry if I appear to be singling you out, it's just there's an entire knifemaker's forum that's highlighted more on the BF home page than this forum yet we get 2-3 threads per day posted here asking knifemakers questions.