Hand rubbing ricasso... AFTER putting the guard on

Wulf

Wulf

Joined
May 10, 2000
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OK this is purely hypothetical, definitely not something I've ever done but, see I have this friend who was working on a knife and after he affixed the handle and guard (permanently, they're not going anywhere) he found some small scratches on the ricassso. The blade had been hand rubeed to 1500 to reveal a nice hamon. So how do I - I mean how does my friend - clean up the ricasso without leaving lots of j-hooks in front of the guard?
 
Tape up the guard and other areas really well with masking tape and sand very carefully with a thin strip of paper =P I hope you.. i mean your friend... can get them out alright and then show us some pictures =)
 
I always get scratches on the ricasso after putting the guard on. Just put some masking tape on the guard and re-sand the blade.
 
Im interested in this as well....even after taping off that guard, how do you replicate a handrubbed finish at the very edge that meets the guard? Always looks like crap when I've seen it done.....on a "new" knife those scratches go right under the guard....
 
Tape up whatever you don't want scratched. Then wrap a piece of sand paper around a razor blade and sand the scratched area. Just use the edge of the sandpaper on the blade to have as little touching as possible.
 
I'll try the razor blade idea - thanks Chuck

mini-buffer won't work as the wheel won't match the texture of the hand-rub, nor reach the inside corner between guard and ricasso
 
Have you try taking the emery board with the emery off of it and rap a 1500 sanding sheet on it? when you take the emery of it makes the board a little more flexible. I'm just a new-be so i don't know.
vern
 
hi derrick
i do the same thing all the time i make a sanding stick cut on an angle glue leather to is and glue my paper to it if you want i'll get a pic. it's a trick from Christoph

Dave
 
Nobody mentioned the obvious; put tape on the ricasso before the scratches get there.:thumbup:
I use the aluminum tape that is used on ductwork. Get your friend a roll; he will thank you for it.

Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Nobody mentioned the obvious; put tape on the ricasso before the scratches get there.:thumbup:
I use the aluminum tape that is used on ductwork. Get your friend a roll; he will thank you for it.

Fred
Click to expand...

I do what Fred said. I try to avoid scratching it up in the first place.
 
Popsical, thats the word I'm looking for. Down here in Oz we call them "icypole sticks".

I glue stips of wet and dry to one side of a "popsical" stick then grind a relief angle on the edges (paper and all) This slight angle will leave a clean staight edge with the paper sticking out the furthest. With the face of the guard masked off with tape you can safely put the paper right into the corner and draw back. Gluing the paper down really makes a difference. I have also used this method to clean up the face of a guard by taping the ricasso.


Hope you, sorry, your mate can fix his knife.


Peter
 
Thanks guys.

To the comedians who said "don't scratch it in the first place"... bite me. :) I had the ricasso taped up, but sometimes sht happens.
 
Hey, Derrick. Stop worrying, bubba. It's not like these are important knives or anything. :p:D

Now, get er done! :thumbup:
 
Hey Derrick,
I have used a piece of small brass...1/4" x 1/16"x however long you want.
Chisle grind the end and glue the abrasive to it. Take your time and hold your breath a lot!;)
Mace
 
I find tongue depressers (Lee Valley) and PSA 3-M Micron mylar abrasives (Rio Grande)very useful in the shop for this sort of application.

In situations like this, it is sometimes better to go ahead and get the scratches out, not worrying about the fish hooks. Continue through the grits without worrying about what it looks like. When fine enough, buff to a mirror finish then go "backwards" to re-apply the satin with the 1500. It makes it a lot easier because it takes a lot less force, allowing one to avoid the dreaded "j's".
 
Fitz! Very good! I'll order some of the PSA micron mylar abrasives today, I have another need for them.

Guys, the way I work this area is to use a 1" x .250 x 6" piece of mycarta. I grind the end to the shape of an arrow point when looking at it from the side. This makes it very easy to push whatever you're using right up to the ricasso, then gently but firmly pull back on it. (Yep, I tape up the ricasso also).
 
Wulf said:
Thanks guys.

To the comedians who said "don't scratch it in the first place"... bite me. :) I had the ricasso taped up, but sometimes sht happens.
Click to expand...
Well said.

Fred:D
 
I use a lot of those sticks you get for free when you buy a can of paint.
Can't beat free :p
I use glue in a spraycan and shape the stick how I need it.
The DIY-shop is an endless supply.
 
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