Here goes!

Looks great. Couple questions. Wouldn't the blast cabinet treatment take the painted finish off without using any other method?

Also, did you blast the Micarta at all. I have seen that treatment give the Micarta a cool look.

Thanks
 
clampdaddy said:
Thanks. You can't tell it by the above photo but the etched lettering survived the bead blasting and the edges actually look sharpeand cleaner than before. Now I need to think up a good way to blacken the letters.
Click to expand...

nail polish around the logo, then blue it or etch with vinegar.
 
inspector-callahan said:
Looks great. Couple questions. Wouldn't the blast cabinet treatment take the painted finish off without using any other method?

Also, did you blast the Micarta at all. I have seen that treatment give the Micarta a cool look.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Yeah, the bead blaster could have taken it down all by itself but since this was the first time I've done it I wasn't sure how harsh it would be to the logo or the scales. I wanted to get the steel clean first so I could see how deep the logo etched and then give it a quick frosted finish without worrying so much about messing anything up.

Yep, blasted the whole knife, micarta and all. I did have one spot where a stubborn piece of epoxy took a little extra effort with the blaster and it discolored a small part of the micarta. It actually looked like it was slightly burnt. Kind of a reddish brown color. I put it back in the cabinet and hit the area lightly until it was gone. Looked like New again.
 
inspector-callahan said:
Looks great. Couple questions. Wouldn't the blast cabinet treatment take the painted finish off without using any other method?
Click to expand...

I was curious of the same thing a while ago, and tested it out a few times. Blasting the coating off in a cabinet can be done, but it takes a long time and sometimes it doesn't come off evenly. It's just quicker and cleaner to use a chemical stripper.
 
Clamp,

Thanks for the info. Makes sense. When you don't know the outcome, control the process, each process individually. Would you mind a straight on side photo of the grip panel, so I could see what the beads did to the Micarta? What did it change about the grip? Just the texture?

A glass beaded version of the Micarta TGLB seems like exactly what I am looking for! Also, how badly did the blast process dull the blade?

From what I am told about how easy glass beading is (when you have the right media grit and equipment), I'm surprised its not offered more on Busse knives... (maybe it's not as easy as I'm told)

Thanks!!
 
Inspector, the small amount of blasting that I did to the grips didn't make any visible change to them. I wasn't sure how it was going to react, and I didn't want to fray the canvas so I just hit them quickly. I can feel a difference but to me, they look exactly the same.

The glass beading dulled the crap out of the blade, and I was even being carefull to blast in the same direction as the edge and not towards it. It doesn't matter how hard the steel in your knife is......glass is harder. Lol! If you ever do one, don't bother being careful around the edge because you're going to be spending some time on the stones anyway.
 
I like the way that looks. I sent Garth an email a few weeks ago asking about a double cut finish on a TGLB. I was hoping the shop might do it. His response is below. I wish I had my own machine.

"Because of the marks from machining it is not possible to do a double cut finish on the TGLB as the same marks that showed up on comp finish would show up on double cut.

Thanks
Garth"
 
Gotcha. Thanks for the advise. You did do a nice job though. Looks great. Was their a special grit you used for the beads? Just curious?

I also am a fan of Krein knives and he blasts his handles as I understand, but obviously I have no detailed understanding of his technique. I just know it looks quite nice and I like the how the effect gives it a matted or subdued look.

blackcanvasbushcraftII0725-70.jpg
 
RobStanley said:
Very cool!!! Got any bigger pics?
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I'm doing all the pics with my phone and just learned how to post them. I don't know how to make them bigger but I could try getting a better shot with the whole knife in frame.
 
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Highrisk said:
I like the way that looks. I sent Garth an email a few weeks ago asking about a double cut finish on a TGLB. I was hoping the shop might do it. His response is below. I wish I had my own machine.

"Because of the marks from machining it is not possible to do a double cut finish on the TGLB as the same marks that showed up on comp finish would show up on double cut.

Thanks
Garth"
Click to expand...

Yes, there are still tool marks and dimples but I think the bead blasted finish does a good job of subduing them. It looks clean while still having some character. For some reason when I take a picture it has excellent resolution until I upload them to photobucket, them I loose all definition of the fine tool marks. You may be able to see them here on the hollow grind area.
 
inspector-callahan said:
Gotcha. Thanks for the advise. You did do a nice job though. Looks great. Was their a special grit you used for the beads? Just curious?

I also am a fan of Krein knives and he blasts his handles as I understand, but obviously I have no detailed understanding of his technique. I just know it looks quite nice and I like the how the effect gives it a matted or subdued look.
Click to expand...
I believe they are just regular ol' gerneral purpose beads. Not new though. I'd been using the beads on a few other projects last week so they are pretty fine by now.
 
Highrisk said:
I like the way that looks. I sent Garth an email a few weeks ago asking about a double cut finish on a TGLB. I was hoping the shop might do it. His response is below. I wish I had my own machine.

"Because of the marks from machining it is not possible to do a double cut finish on the TGLB as the same marks that showed up on comp finish would show up on double cut.

Thanks
Garth"
Click to expand...

If you get one and do the etching, chemical stripping, pay the shipping both ways, and are willing to resharpen it yourself I'd be happy to blast it for you. It only takes a couple minutes to do. Knives this size or smaller are about the limit of what I can bring to work in my lunch box. A battle mistress or a katana might raise some eyebrows with my boss. Lol!
 
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