How do you get Satin Finishes?

Joined
Jan 26, 2000
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Hello, everyone. I already made a post on ShopTalk on this subject, but I thought I might make on here too, cause everyone here on the balisong forum seems so intelligent. Anyway, I need help...

A few of my mirror polished knives have tiny, but very noticable scratches on them.. and needless to say, I don't like that. I was wondering if any of you out there could give me step by step instructions, as well as a materials needed list for obtaining a satin finish from a mirror polished blade.

Any and all help is appreciated. Also, feel free to send me email concerning this topic:

KentDog@home.com

Thanks!
 
Really simple.

Go to the drug store and see if they have the foam centered emery boards for fingernails. If they do, get several in the fine and extra fine grit.

These work very well for refinishing or touching up a satin finsih on blades and handles.

Since they have a foam center, they have a softness that will conform to curves and flats equally well, but have enough ridigity to be able to work with.

As they wear, the grit gets finer and provides a finer finish. You can wipe out the worst of the dirty grit on the board with a soft cloth to keep the board clean.

After you reach a certain point, you can wrap the boards with 600 to 1500 grit emery paper to get a finer and finer finish.

Good Luck and take your time

ChuckG
 
That's a good start. This is a rather technical question and you may wish to try it in the general or even the "shop talk" forums.



------------------
Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Thanks a lot for the info, Chuck... I appreciate it very much, and if I have any other questions, I'll know who to go to. Thanks, again! I'll let you know how my first refinishing project turns out... pictures too maybe.
 
Also, this is safe to do on a mirror polished blade, right? I'm planning to put a satin finish on a bali that has a mirror polish. It probably is, I think I might have misunderstood when you said:

"These work very well for refinishing or touching up a satin finish on blades and handles"

..and I just wanted to make sure. =)
 
I'd heard on BF that Spyderco used a commercial version of 3M Scoth-Brite Hand Pads. I bought some and they work great!

The ones to look for are:

#7445, white, 1200-1500 grit equivalent
#7447, maroon, 360-400 grit equivalent
#7448, gray, 800-1000 grit equivalent

I'd start with the maroon to make some quick progress and then switch to the gray to finish up with a very nice satin finish.

The white will give you back a mirror finish, but it does take some work. If the scratches are very light, though, it would probably take less work than going to a satin finish. Just a guess...

I've heard some of the larger home improvement stores carry them, but neither Home Depot nor Lowes where I live had them. I finally found them at a locally-owned paint store.

Good luck!

------------------
Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988


AKTI Member #A000831

[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 09-26-2000).]
 
Scotch-Brite pads do work. I used one on a knife I made for work. Make sure you only drag the pad one direction though, for example start at the handle and go to the tip. Do the hole blade at one time, that way everything is uniform. The Scotch-Brite pad I used was green and about a six inche square. Hope this helps
 
i use the brite pads and put a little fitz on the pad to finish. also it is a great way to clear up watch bands. for a high matte finish i go over with 400 grit gray rouge on a small hand buffer.
 
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