Fix Finger Prints etched onto Blade

Status
Not open for further replies.
JatMat

JatMat

Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
7,012
Guys,
I have an old custom by a deceased maker in D2 and mirrored finished that someone CF sometime ago and DID NOT wipe the pile side down after handling it. The fingerprints were black, but I have polished over and over again with Flitz, but in the light they are still there. What is the next step in restoration. The mirror finish is perfect as any Harvey ever did, but I can not stand the thought of it being with defects. All suggestions welcomed, remember this one is a classic and I am a dumb a** for not checking behind an admirer. Pretty good with the hands, just not a lot of smarts as to this situation.
Thanking you in advance,
Jim
 
Thanks, but I have already rubbed blisters with Flitz, the metal is ETCHED, almost like a dremel was taken to it to form the fingerprints. It is below the rest of the surface, not sure how many thousands, but the ridges of the prints still show.
Jim
 
That means you're going to have to sand the metal down to the level of the deepest indent, and then refinish it back up to mirror. I'd check in with the Custom Knives forum and see what they think in terms of how and if it's worth it (in terms of collectibility.)
 
Do you have any strop compound?

Chromium oxide, diamond compound, anything 1 micron or less should do it unless you have pitting.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Do you have any strop compound?

Chromium oxide, diamond compound, anything 1 micron or less should do it unless you have pitting.
Click to expand...

I am thinking of going to see a good knifemaker friend of mine and see if he can buff it off, they are far enough from pivot to be able to reach without disassembly. I may have some compound here, if not, I know where to find.
Thanks,
Jim
 
It must be snowing in Florida! Knifeknut and I agree on something!! :)

It's easy to remove those prints and then get a mirror polish back on the blade using CrO2 or diamond compound first, followed by the Flitz. Flitz alone won't get the job done unless you use a Dremel.

Stitchawl
 
PLEASE don't use a Dremel on a fine knife! It does not have enough contact surface area to get an even polish. Your knifemaker friend should be able to refinish it with no problem.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
PLEASE don't use a Dremel on a fine knife! It does not have enough contact surface area to get an even polish. Your knifemaker friend should be able to refinish it with no problem.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. I don't seem to have any trouble using it. I get nice even finishes. It just takes a bit of care.

Stitchawl
 
What would I know? Other than finishing/refinishing thousands of knives, hundreds of guns and thousands of pieces of jewelry-I have never gotten a satisfactory finish with a Dremel-sized tool on anything much larger than a man's ring. Maybe you know something I don't? Or maybe our standards are different?
 
Bill DeShivs said:
What would I know? Other than finishing/refinishing thousands of knives, hundreds of guns and thousands of pieces of jewelry-I have never gotten a satisfactory finish with a Dremel-sized tool on anything much larger than a man's ring. Maybe you know something I don't? Or maybe our standards are different?
Click to expand...

That's one of the nice things about forums. We all know different things. We all have different abilities. Isn't it great?!? :)

Stitchawl
 
Thanks All for your suggestions, but I would have to agree with Bill, I do not see how the etching can be removed with a dremel without lowering the surface and causing a wave or imperfection in the blade, I do want an even mirror finish without a dimple where the prints were. My son is very good with his hands and tools, but I have seen some of his dremel work, mirror finish alright but waves in the blade. I just can not have that on this piece. Harvey's work is highly sought after and just a good finish is not good enough, it has to be perfect.
Thanks Again,
Jim

Off to see my knife maker friend.
 
Lucky Bob said:
That means you're going to have to sand the metal down to the level of the deepest indent, and then refinish it back up to mirror. I'd check in with the Custom Knives forum and see what they think in terms of how and if it's worth it (in terms of collectibility.)
Click to expand...

Yep! I second this. It's the only way to get the finish back to perfect.
 
If the knife is a collectable, leave the print. It becomes a part of the history of the knife. I just wouldn't take the chance that an attempt at a repair might in some way diminish it's value or damage it, if even only slightly, and in the process ruin the value. But that's just me.
 
I collect, however, many of my knives have been EDC'd, this one is not pristine, I care not about the value, maybe one of my great, great, great grandkids will when they are outlawed in the US will and try to sell them, but I do not want to pull it out for use and see that stinking print or let someone else see it. Flitz got rid of all but the deepest etches, but in the light they are still there, even if they are shiny like the rest of the blade.

I hope I am making sense of this and how I feel about it.
Thanks for all suggestions,
Jim
 
I'd look into finding a custom maker experienced with polishing their knives and see if he'll buff it up for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top