finsishing d2 micarta

kile

kile

Joined
Mar 19, 1999
Messages
620
I recently bought a cheap custom knife made of d2, with micarta scales. Half the reason I bought it was so I could refinish it. I have heard D2 is not popular in production knifes, because it doesn't take a nice polished finish very easily, that is definately the case with this knife. The finish is very ruff. The finish is even fairly rough on he micarta. It is a polished type finish, but I can see circular grinding or polishing marks on it, and i would like to work these out. What is the best way by hand to polish up the blade, and the micarta handle scales. How nice of a finish can I expect on D2. Thanks for any help
Kyle
 
Well, since you don't know the particulars such as heat-treat, what grit the maker took it to etc., it makes it a little hard to know just where to start.

A D2/micarta knife usually looks really good with a blasted finish.

As far as hand finishing it, I would just clamp it down, and start sanding with a hardwood block wrapped in abrasive and use either Cool-Tool-II or baby oil as a lubricant. Sand sand sand away.

Good luck,
Nick
 
I have quite a bit of experience with hand finishing D-2 and I can say that you probably have a lot of work ahead of you! To finish up the handle, I would probably start with 120 or 220 grit, sand for a while until the lines are all going the same direction, then move up the grits to 320, 400, and higher if you want. 400-600 generally leaves a smooth, but grippy finish on Micarta, but you can take it to 2000 if you want. Do the same with the blade, but it'll take a LONG time!

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Chiro75,

I've been regrinding old hunting blades into newer patterns (daggers, etc) and the one I'm working on now is being a very difficult subject. I just cannot seem to get all the scratches out of it. I started at 100, then to 180, then to 240, then to 320 but for some reason that's the grit that I start to see all the scratches that were left in the blade previously......just can't seem to get past 320 or 400 without having to go back to 180......I did this three times last night....it's driving me crazy. I couldn't tell you what type of steel it is, other than carbon (it rusts) or what hardness it is.....any suggestions on how to get those darn little scratches out!>!!!
 
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