Hand Sanding Blades

Centaur

Centaur

Joined
Sep 16, 1999
Messages
3,277
Some time ago I read an article about Michael Bell. He mentioned that he puts baking soda in the water when he hand polishes his blades.

Right now I'm hand sanding a Cable Damascus Bowie. I tried the water & baking soda "slurry." I'm down to 600 grit, and it's starting to have a mirror-like finish.

Has anyone else tried this technique?

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Glen AKA Centaur
"I'll be your Huckleberry."
- Doc Holiday
 
Some guys use baby oil on the 600 grit. Bruce does I know. I tried gun oil and it seems to work ok. Cory

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" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
I use BG Products HCF (I work at BG) It is the best lube for hand sanding that I have ever used... But I am going to try the baking soda and water ....
Steve45
 
Hmmmm..... Interesting. I use cutting oil on my sandpaper. I assume baking soda adds a little fine grit? I'll try sprinkling baking soda on with the oil.

Does anyone know of other commonly available powders that can work as sanding/polishing grits?
 
Does anyone else know what powders would make fine polishing grits? Yes! Ask a potter and he'll tell you...

Calcium carbonate, or as potters commonly know it, whiting, is sold under the commercial name Bon Ami. It is a fine white powder that is a great cleanser and has a very fine grit.

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Peter Atwood

email:fountainman@hotmail.com
 
Talcum powder is a very fine abrasive, too. The baking soda is also great for preventing oxidization on carbon blades.

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Oz

"Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken!"
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/
 
Wow. Great tips! I was using 3 in 1 oil or Rapid Tap for polishing!!
would Magnesium Carbonate work? it is powerlifting chalk..
 
I still like Cool Tool II, I just put it in an old film canister and dip my finger into it and put just enough on the blade to help sand it out.

I think any cutting fluid works, but Cool Tool II has worked the best for me.

Can't say that I've tried baking soda though, but hey, it's worth a shot!
wink.gif


Nick
 
when hand sanding with wet and dry i use plain old kerosene thickened with some atf. it keeps the grit from cloging the paper and wipes off easy. the same mixture is used on all my sharpening stones with no problems.
 
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