How do you polish blades?

[claybuster5]

I have seen people do blades that have almost a mirror finish? How can I achieve this level, is it just a polishing belt?
Thanks,
Patrick

 

[richard harley]

You need all sorts of grits of paper 60-1200 down to and A series micron. make shure u allways get out all the scratches from the last grit till u get so fine ur using micron belts... buff and enjoy... jus watch out and dont make ur blade to thin!

 

[David Sharp]

My method:

After HT start at 220 to correct any grind issues, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 2000, then hand sand 2000, 25000 and buff with green and a medium stiff buff (IIRC sewn every .5"). I get these results.

 

[IrishSteel]

When sanding do you sand from ricasso to tip or from spine to edge? Just adding my own question to this thread.

 

[parbajtor]

When sanding do you sand from ricasso to tip or from spine to edge? Just adding my own question to this thread.

I usually do each grit 90 degrees to the last one until you can't see the scratches from the previous grit.

 

[David Sharp]

When sanding do you sand from ricasso to tip or from spine to edge? Just adding my own question to this thread.

In my case after grinding up to 2000 all the scratches are edge to spine, I then sand 2000 and 2500 tip to ricasso or vice versa. I then buff edge to spine which is 90 to the hand-sanding and preserves the grind lines.

 

[claybuster5]

Is it a pain though? I have not made a knife yet, I am still waiting to order belts for my sander. Do you think I will be able to do this?

 

[daizee]

Is it a pain though? I have not made a knife yet, I am still waiting to order belts for my sander. Do you think I will be able to do this?

Yes, it is a pain.
That's why a highly finished knife costs more, particularly with a hand-rubbed finish.
Once you get the rhythm down it's not bad, either by belt or hand, but it's not something that can be rushed.

David, that looks like a beautifully finished blade!