How do you mirror polish?

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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I'm thinking of mirror polishing not just the blade, but also the torx fasteners and pocket clip of my MT L-UDT. Any suggestions on how to do this? I would also like to know how this will affect my blade (i.e. rust etc.) and what to do to counter this, besides tuff cloth.
 
i have no idea how to do this, but iiuc, mirror polishing should make your blade significantly more rust resistant rather than less

hope htis helps at all

Pete
 
Some steels do not take a mirror polish well. From what I have read 154-CM is one of these steels. If you can do it, a mirror polish is generally better for rust resistance than a bead blast or stone wash finish.

I will leave how to actually attain this mirror finish to those who know more about it.
 
I asked this question last year and it comes down to a lot of time and effort. The most used technique is using sandpaper in progressively finer grid. Steel wool, and a finishing polish is often used along with it. You may want to invest in a Dremel tool with a polish attachment.

Sometimes plain ole' Flitz works well on shining up satin finishes to an almost mirror shine.
 
I've made mirror polished ATS-34, 440-C, O1, crewear, D2. Yes it adds a whole lot of time. And yes, the stainless' don't rust. The others do.

You got it, alot of sanding by hand, going down to finer grits. then polishing can be done with a buffing wheel on a grinder. You have to use good grades of compound, not stuff from SEARS, that doesn't say grit. On ATS the Green Has to be used first, white {1400 grit} does good for finishing.

Note: This is the DANGEROUS part!!!! You must hold the blade in a way so the buffing wheel will not hit a top edge on it. IT WILL SNATCH the blade right out of your hand, and send it flying at high speeds.

Also note: This buffing heats the blade up right quick! you must keep it dipped in water, or you'll take the temper out of the blade.

There are a few more things that you need to remember while doing this also. Keep the buffing wheel clean, keep the water clean, or you could have to go back to sand paper and start over.
 
S_S,

...Just a little off topic, BUT if you are like me, the fingerprints that will show-up on a mirror finish WILL drive you NUTS. Are you SURE that is what you want?.:).
 
I agree, I have a klotzli walker liner lock with a mirror finish and I'm constantly wiping off fingerprints. I hate the way bead blasted steel rusts though.
 
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