Hand finishing 52100

M

M forge

Joined
May 27, 2011
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171
Is there something special about hand sanding 52100. I have done a few 1084 blades and hand sanded to 1000 grit and they came out pretty nice. I have hand sanded 52100, but so far only to a 600 grit. This one I want to take up to 1000 and it just doesn't want to work out for me. It is like the surface is rubbery or something. I am making sure all previous scratches are out. I have gone back to 220 grint once and back to 400 once and then worked back up to 1000. Do I jsut need to go to a higher grit for this alloy, or am I not doing something right.

Thanks for your help.
 
I don't normally take 52100 above a 600 grit finish because I etch most of them to show the grain pattern. That said I've never had a problem hand sanding it, though it's a good bit easier and quicker to hand sand 1084. Just use good sand paper, a solid backing and I really like using windex for a lube. Trust me, 52100 sands like butter compared to some steels, like CPM S30V.
 
I am with you. I normally do 600 and etch also, but thought I would try something different. I guess I will go up a bit in grit. Its not that it is hard to sand, but the surface is different. It seems like it smears if that makes any sense.

I would think S30V would be a nighmare based upon sharpening it before I had a belt grinder.

Thanks Will
 
What are you using for sanding lube? I just use plain water, sand a lot of 52100 and no problems. I find it easier than W2 and certainly CruForgeV...
 
I was using just tap water on this one, as I thought I might etch it and if you don't get it all clean oil and etch don't work to well. But, I prefer WD40. I think it gives me a little better results.

I have only worked with 5160, 1084 and 52100. This finsih is not bad, just different than 1084 which seems to finish out real nice quite easily. I think I may just have to go up a bit higher in grit to get what I want. I was going for that almost mirror finish if that makes sense. 1084 I could get it with 1000 grit and some polishing with the back of the sandpaper. I think I will need to go to 1200 or higher. I hope this makes sense, as it is a little bit hard to explain for me.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
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