help with polishing

A

ajg17d

Joined
Oct 14, 2014
Messages
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Hello I am new to the forum and looking for help polishing some blades to a mirror finish I cant seem to find a thread on how to exactly start out with that if anyone could help with info or links it would be much appreciated.

If I posted this in the wrong place I'm sorry trying not to be a dumb new guy. thanks for all the great info I have already learned this place is a great resource.
 
Yes this is in the wrong forum. Should be maintenance or shop talk.

What exactly are you trying to mirror polish? What grit finish does it have now?

Polishing is starting out with a grit and increasing it every time your ready to move on. For example 320-600-1000-1500-2000-2500
You need to sand in a different direction every grit so you can see that you've removed ALL the scratches from the previous grit.
I highly suggest you look up Nick Wheeler's videos about hand sanding on YouTube. They're very helpful.
Then you need to buff. Three compounds will get you there. Black then brown then green or white
3RiverBlades has a video on YouTube about this that I find helpful.
 
Moved to MTE, should be able to get some more accurate answers here. Welcome to Bladeforums. ;)
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1201984-First-polishing-job theres a link to when I polished mine. Basically its a sanding process 150, 220, 400, 600, 1k, 2k sandpaper in succession. Be sure to fully remove the scratch pattern from the previous grit before switching. This can be done by hand. I used a dremel. I use double sided carpet tape to stick my own sandpaper to the dremel sanding drum. After sanding buff with a compound for steel. I used dremel green compound with a felt wheel. Then buffed with mothers mag and aluminum and hand rubbed with mothers. That process worked for me. Its a little different then the process in the link because ive improved it since.
 
Wanted to add that you may not have to start at such a low grit depending on starting condition. Pics would help
 
I have a few folders that I would like to try to polish mainly I just want to try on a case blackhorn 3.5 that way I dont make myself sick if I screw up a two or three hundred dollar knife. Also I collect straight razors. Want to try tinkering with them as well i have access to plenty of tools I just need a hobby to fill my time I am a recovering drug addict with restless hands a busy mind and a job that gives me to much free time.
 
Im a recovering addict as well. Welcome to knife customization! We're always gonna be addicted to something. Just how we're wired. The best we can do is channel it to something positive. Knife sharpening and customization has been that for me. Now getting into making my own. I hope the journey can be as rewarding for you as it is me.
 
I mean the whole blade. I have been gathering up some different grit sand paper and gonna try by hand first I will keep you all posted on how it goes. Sorry if I am slow to reply I work third shift and am on opposite schedule compared to most.
 
Lots of great suggestions already!

I generally progress from the lower grit, keep grit size as close as possible or else needing more time/effort if skipping grit. Normally, I do prefer wet/dry, soak in water and keep wet during the process. For harden steel or exotic alloy, I go as high as 2000 before mirror polish with various compounds and finish with Semichrome. Best finish is easier using power tools.

This is done with the above process followed final machining:

DSCN1866_zps62486e34.jpg


After mirror polish, then flame anodize, followed with 2000 grit and Semichrome polish the two grooves for high light:

DSCN1878_zps1bce36e4.jpg


The above example was done on titanium alloy on a lathe for about 3 hours at speeds. HT'ed tool steel by hand I have done many times, but took a lot longer, end results are equally satisfying.

Good luck!
 
Just updating everyone have been sanding my fingers off pictures coming soon. Any one have experience with medford pretorian? I think I fell in love
 
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