Here's a solution to CRKT's Beadblast blades

A

aflatfoot

Joined
Jun 19, 1999
Messages
245
I have read several threads in the last few weeks about beadblasted blades, especially on CRKT knives. I agree, beadblasting blows. So I was sitting at home and suddenly I thought, Stonewash!. So I got my small CRKT KFF ($24.99 on Ebay, what could I loose?) and pulled the blade off. I then put a piece of 440 grit sandpaper on a block and smoothed the beadblasting off the blade (about 15 min). Now I needed some sort of media to use in my rock tumbler (I think the right machine should have been a vibratory tumbler, but I digress). I went into my junk drawer and pulled out a broken gray ceramic rod that was older than the hills, I also took a new "big stick" (Available at SMKW for $4)ceramic rod to use for media. I then found a sturdy metal bucket, dropped both rods in the bucket and smashed them to bits with a 5 lb. sledge hammer. I then took my new media, added some bb's, some bolts, a piece of bathtub stopper chain, and some water. I then threw the blade in and let her rip. After a few hours I dumped in a handfull of walnut polishing media (for rifle brass) and let the tumbler run all night long. This morning I pulled it out washed it off and here is the finished product.
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After I put the blade back on I had to do some serious resharpening. The point could stand a little re-profiling, but other than that perfect! So, try it yourself if you are tired of that rusty old blasting.
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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

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I'd do anything to remove the bead-blast from my big and small pieces! But I certainly don't think I can pull that off with the process you just described.

I just never understood the point of bead-blasting. Fine, it reduces blade-visibility, but c'mon. It attracts rust and looks downright ugly. What could possibly possess a person to put up with rust and uglyness in favor of less visibility? After all, when the blade is exposed, the bead-blast will not conceal the fact that it is a blade after all. People won't think it's less dangerous by having it gray-colored instead of shiny. It still cuts, slashes and stabs the same, for Christ's sake!!! And if you really want to conceal the blade, just close it! It IS a folder, after all.

Sorry about the ranting, but I couldn't help it
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-Flood

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HERMES: "The Applegate Fairbarn is not bad...but for both offense and defense, the Randall 14 is good."
HERMES: (Admiring the Joe Kious Sub-hilt dagger) "I'll take the Joe Kious for a friend."
KNIFE-SELLER: "Excellent choice."
 
Actually the grind lines are much better than the picture shows them. They are really not that crisp in the first place. If I do this again I will polish the blade and add a different polish to the media, that will give more shine to the galvanized look. Anyhow, it made for an interesting expirament.

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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

kansasC.gif
 
My friend who works at an auto parts store recommended a cheap metal polish... considering the low price per tube, I don't mind spending a few hours polishing up the ole' M16... nice and shiny, too.
PS Why does everyone like satin finish so much? Is it just aesthetics? I like shiny blades.
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I like shiny blades too. I am thinking about converting another inexpensive folder to a shiny blade.

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EXCUSE ME WHILE I WHIP THIS OUT.
**Blazing Saddles**

kansasC.gif
 
Flood, you have to consider that bead/sand blasting is cheap, efficient and hides alot of flaws/scratches! Thats why they do it. You get what you pay for. I myself sweat in the summer and have had may knives rust spot and it drives me nuts! I now use cobalt blades and never worry about this problem again.
 
I suggest next time you try a little Flitz, an old T shirt, and lots of elbow grease. I used that process on my long gone large CRKT KFF, and it produced a nice satin finish.
 
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