How do you scan Mirror Polished blades?

[David2584]

I recently polished a blade with a 1500 grit and it almost looks like a mirror. Now, each time I try to scan the picture, the blade looks dark. Is it possible to scan a mirror polished blade so it looks good and shows the mirror polish?

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A real knife collector is always broke.

[This message has been edited by David2584 (edited 07-07-2000).]

 

[GARY B]

David,
Scanning a mirror polish is going to be next to impossible. If you place something under the handle to turn the blade at a slightly different angle you MIGHT be able to get the lighter color of a mirror polish. But even then you'll probably get a bunch of pinks, greens and yellows from the reflective light moving down the blade.

You will do better to use a digital camera,or take pics with a good 35mm camera and then scan the print.

Not what you wanted to hear I'm sure, but that has been my experience. With work you can get pretty good scans of 600 or 800 grit satin finish though.

Good luck,

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Gary Bradburn
Bradburn Custom Cutlery
www.toptexknives.com/bradburn.htm

"You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other mans freedom. You can only be free if I am"

 

[Steve D]

i can't get it to work with a digital camera either...

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--steve
p.s. see an awesome weapon-->HERE

 

[James Mattis]

Turn the blade so that the grit lines are across (straight across or at a modest angle) the light path, and try having the spine of the blade towared the "top" of the scanner (where the light is moving from). 600 grit scans a lot easier than 1500 grit, and a true mirror finish will give you fits.

Experiment with various angles and brightness and contrast adjustments. I've gotten almost decent results lately by reducing contrast. I've also gotten some accidental neat rainbow effects which I wish were really available as blade finishes!


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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001

 

[george tichbourne]

Mirror finishes don't scan very well. Carol photographs using a white reflector above and behind the blade. The blade picks up the white reflection and comes out white when shot from the front. Flashes produce strange reflections so avoid them if possible.

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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com