finishing grits....

balibalistic · Nov 28, 2008

Curious what you guys feel is an acceptable finishing grit..,for a machine finish??i normally go 400 or 600 then buff,or microscopically smear the finish to increase corrosion resistance.would it be acceptable to finish with say 220 then lightly buff,this is using stainless.

Robert Mayo · Nov 28, 2008

Personaly i do not think 220 grit is acceptable for a custom knife but that just me.
I finish working knives to 400 or 600 and if i do not think it will be used or it is a safe queen that nothing less than 1500.

Bob

J.S. Carter · Nov 28, 2008

I would say 400-600 crosshatched would be an acceptable satin "machine" finish 220 leaves far to deep a scratch. especially if you buff the scratches will look 2x as deep!

balibalistic · Nov 28, 2008

No,i do aggree with you's! i made an oop's and ended up having to grind a blade super thin and high using a very small wheel.to the point where if i remove anymore steel i will grind through it.oh well,looks like i get to keep another

balibalistic · Nov 28, 2008

Other then aethetic reasons,would the blade be prone to rusting?? i had a custom knife made several ryears back with a 220 finish,as i wanted a good user.the steel was cpm154 and it has not seen any rust.this blade is ats-34,so i wonder if corrosion resistance is as good?it does look course,but really not bad for a user i dont think?

Will Leavitt · Nov 28, 2008

After your 120 belt try a 400x cork loaded with green rouge, a trizac Gator 400x loaded with green will also work in a pinch. It gives a nice "semi-mirror" polish.

balibalistic · Nov 28, 2008

Will Leavitt said:
After your 120 belt try a 400x cork loaded with green rouge, a trizac Gator 400x loaded with green will also work in a pinch. It gives a nice "semi-mirror" polish.

LOL,thats exactly what i did,then went back with a new dry cork with no compound.kind of blended everything,or smeared the surface.it really does'nt look to bad,just course.i'll sell'er at a discount :thumbup:

Will Leavitt · Nov 28, 2008

I use the loaded cork as a base for my hand rubbed finishes.

balibalistic · Nov 28, 2008

Will Leavitt said:
I use the loaded cork as a base for my hand rubbed finishes.

Me to!! i generally go up to 600 grit,then use a worn in 400 cork loaded with green,then to a 600 cork loaded.does'nt leave many scratches to sand out.

Will Leavitt · Nov 28, 2008

I go 400x loaded cork then 400x hand rub up to whatever I'm ending my finish at. I only have hand rubbed finishes on my knives. The 400x loaded cork does show off the "hamon" nicely though. Leaves it nice and frosted but on that semi mirror finish.