handrubbed satin Vs. mirrored finish

L

larrytwohig

Joined
Dec 6, 2002
Messages
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I'm looking to order a custom bowie, and need some input on the pros/cons of both of these finishes. The steel is non-stainless 5160. What effect would the finish have on scratch-resistance, tarnish, rust, sharpening, etc. I read that with the satin finish, the blade will hold oil better, but then others say that it also causes water and dirt accumulation more than a mirrored finish. The knife will be for the most part a disply item, but it will experience some light use on camping trips, hunting, chopping, self-defense, SD practice, etc. I do like crisp lines in a knife, and the sheath will be leather. Thanks!
 
Larry,

Hmmm, no other answers yet? I'll give you my $.02.

Satin finish.

I built one knife blank with a mirror finish. I took it off before I even finished it. Everything shows: scratches, finger prints, dust, skin oils will even look irregular if not wiped off just right.

Display case, sure. But even if only occasional use I'd go for satin.

Personally I think a satin finish looks more hand-made/custom than mirror.

Steve
 
Its true about the oil being held on to. I use a 180 grit finish which works very well for me. Fine enough to prevent deep crevases to harbor moisture and subsequent corrosion. Coarse enough to let oil rest all over the blade. FYI, a super mirror polish though resists corrosion by eliminating deep crevases. Most oils adhere just fine to mirror anyway. You have to find compromise.

For a user, I prefer blades with a finish of 220 grit and under. Scatches are harder to detect simply.

I like satin look better anyway.
 
I prefer a satin finish over mirror polish. ANY satin finish, I don't care if it's machine applied or handrubbed. A knife blade just seems to have more texture and rhythm when it's satin finished. JMO.
 
thanks for your opinions, and for getting the thread going! I'm definitely leaning towards satin, as that's what I've always bought. I think it would annoy me to go to such trouble and care to keep the mirrored finish looking good. I also feel that the "machined" look gives a piece a more solid appearance, Vs. the "liquid" look of a mirrored blade.
 
I'll put in another vote for satin. It is often more work, for the maker(least seems that way in my experience) but man does it look good. and plus all the pros that everyone already listed, of course. :)
 
Hi this is DaQo'tah

Im not a experienced Knife maker yet, but I have just a layman's opinion on this topic.

Although any mirror finish on a knife you take camping will end up scratched, and so every time you use it you will likely have to sand and polish it again, I still say that a mirror finish has one thing going for it that should not be overlooked.

A mirror finish looks done. a satin finish looks like you still need to do another step.

I etch my 52100 knives, and thought that was a fine finish, But when I took them to work to show the guys, to a man they all asked me when I would be done polishing them?
 
Larry,
Consider this, iffen you scratch up your knife, you can fix it if it's satin. You'd have to send it back to the maker if it was mirror polished.
 
Just my opinion. I think the satin looks better. It takes me longer to do a good satin finish, handrubbing and all that, but they sure look good. They are also easier to restore if you should get a scratch. Also if you want a temperline to stand out a handrubbed finish up to a 1000 or 1200 works wonders, (along with some archer etchant)
 
The obvious solution to this quandry is to order two knives, one mirror and one satin. Hey, you can never have too many knives!:D :D :D
 
Schaller, hi this is DaQo'tah

yes,,,getting two knives would work,,,

however I just noticed that we are talking about two different types of knife finish ,,,AND,,,,and there are also two sides to every knife!,,,(and you can only look at one side at a time..LOL)....so......
 
I have to go with a hand rubbed satin finish.Mirror finish are nice to look at,but that is about it,You can not use them.A satin finish to 600 grit is about the best looking finsh that I have seen.;) ;) ;)
 
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