Hand Sanding Questions

[grease-man]

Is it normal to have to hand sand one side of the blade more than the other? It's my first time trying a hand rubbed finish, and one side was significantly more difficult. (and painful I might add) I'm still not quite finished, but I'm getting there with pretty good results so far.

Also I was wondering how to match up the plunge area with the rest of the blade. If anyone has any tips there, I'd be very interested. Thanks. -Matt-

 

[J.S. Carter]

depending on how the blade was made, and tempered, one side could be harder then the other, also the technique you apply to the work matters, run one way and one way only. go to the local auto store and pick up some wet or dry sandpaper, Run up from 150 to 220 to 320 to 400 to 600 and instead of water i use veg oil and a small amount of hand soap in an old hand soap bottle and a drop every 3-4 inches will be plenty. by the time you get to 600 it will almost be mirror finish, then you can put it on a hard felt wheel. with some white polish cake, and turn it to mirror.

 

[grease-man]

That sounds pretty good. I'm not looking for a mirror polish on this particular blade, but it's good to know how to do it if I want to. I hate to be dumb, but what is the veg oil and hand soap for? Thanks again. -Matt-

 

[Bruce Evans]

The oil lubricates the paper and helps to keep the grit open as you rub the blade.
You can clean up the plunge lines with a file before you rub the blade (that is if it is flat ground) or you will need to go back to the grinder and straighten them up.

Some people have a harder time grinding one side of the blade than the other thus they dont get as clean of a grind and thus it will take longer to get the grinder marks out (or you may have just rushed one side more than the other)

Check out this tutorial:
http://www.homestead.com/beknivessite2/handrubbing.html

Other than that you just gotta keep putting in the elbow grease untill you get it done,if you want less rubbing then you gotta learn how to come off the grinder cleaner,Practice-practice-practice.......remember Patience is a virtue!

Good Luck and have fun,
Bruce

 

[heatride]

Other than that you just gotta keep putting in the elbow grease untill you get it done,if you want less rubbing then you gotta learn how to come off the grinder cleaner,Practice-practice-practice.......remember Patience is a virtue!

Bruce

Bruce just handed you some great advice for a hand rubbed finish ! :thumbup:

 

[grease-man]

Looking at Bruce's tutorial, I think I know where I went wrong and where I need to go with it. 'Preciate the help guys! -Matt-