Finishing damascus

jdm61

jdm61

itinerant metal pounder
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Messages
47,357
so I have been forging my own Damascus on and off for like 8 years and have always done a hand rubbed finish. Is their a quicker way that still produces a good looking product?
 
Put a piece of leather on the platten when using 320 grit and higher, run at lower speeds. AO or SC belts to 600 grit. Hand sand using a small patch of 1000-1200 grit between etches. Finish to 220 grit before the leather cushion. I think some guys use very fine steel wool to clean between etches.

Hoss
 
Thanks, Hoss. Just to be clear which side of the leather faces out? As for the belts, can you use Gators or just straight AO or SC belts?
DevinT said:
Put a piece of leather on the platten when using 320 grit and higher, run at lower speeds. AO or SC belts to 600 grit. Hand sand using a small patch of 1000-1200 grit between etches. Finish to 220 grit before the leather cushion. I think some guys use very fine steel wool to clean between etches.

Hoss
Click to expand...
 
I have a platen covered with a piece of graphite platen liner. You can buy it from some of the knife suppliers. It makes for bumpless fine sanding when a problem with uneven finish arises. As Hoss said, it only works for fine belts and best at slower speed.
 
I have seen that stuff used to good effect by one Belgian smith, but have heard other folks say they didn't like it all that much.
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
I have a platen covered with a piece of graphite platen liner. You can buy it from some of the knife suppliers. It makes for bumpless fine sanding when a problem with uneven finish arises. As Hoss said, it only works for fine belts and best at slower speed.
Click to expand...
 
If you put it on your everyday platen, it will wear out quickly. If you use it for special finishing tasks at lower speeds, it lasts fine. IIRC, a 36" roll cost me around $20. Just change the 8" piece when it gets worn.
 
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