How it is possible?

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

Joined
Sep 29, 2009
Messages
1,614
That we can get steel post heat treated to RC's in the high 50's or low 60's that:

Files skim off of like water on a ducks back.
Scoff at sheets and sheets of sandpaper just to get to a decent finish.
Giggle at the amount of fine grit pieces we go through to get a nice finish on.

Then, after we've checked the finish we want over with an Optivisor to make sure we didn't miss any rogue little scratches along the way... All of a sudden develop scratches on that same hard steel that shook off all the abrasive stuff we threw at it for hours, from out of practically thin air and with the gentlest of handling? :mad:
 
sometimes its the smallest particles that do the scratching that you dont see. i have scratched a blade before with clean bare hands (or at least they looked clean :D). its aggravating as all get out too when you spend a long time on a finish. thats why i like satin finishes but they too can scratch.
 
I can take a blade from my shop outside, or to a lamp or even a neon light and not see a single scratch, but, I walk into my livingroom and am shocked by the scratches. Light makes a big difference, seems not to be the quanity but need for contrast. I had the same problem but now check before changing grits and look with different lights.
 
Theory 1
First of all, those are NOT SCRATCHES, they are "Character marks". How boring would a plain mirror finish be? Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! But, add a character mark here and there, and suddenly you have a knife that people can relate to and will want to lay down lots and lots of cold hard cash for. Maybe as much as $10!!!!!! Not to brag but I seem to be real good at putting character marks on MY knives. Some positively REEK with character. That was the word one person used to describe them and I'm pretty sure this is how he meant it.

But as I learn more and develop better technique I see fewer and fewer character marks. I'm wondering if I should be worried about this. I'd hate to make a knife without "character".

Theory 2
Or, it could be that the same Elves that snuck into the old shoemaker's shop and made the shoes is sneaking into YOUR shop at night and are helping you add the "character marks", since you don't seem to be doing a good enough job of putting them on yourself.

Maybe if you sent me ten or twelve of your best knives I could examine them and "get back to you",... some day,... maybe,... If I think about it,... possibly... if the knives don't tragically get lost in the mail or something horrible like that.

:-)

LonePine
AKA Paul Meske, Wisconsin
 
I have installed a couple of high intensity mercury vapour lights in the shop because they have the ability to show off even the tiniest scratches.

George
 
I think it's Tai Goo who has the ultimate answer. He has turned sanding, finishing, scratches, etc, into a mythical art. He says he sands in a certain way, a just so way, that has magical light reflecting qualities.

hehe, I like that.

Dave
 
With me I am sure the scratches are being caused by my camera. I get something sanded just right, then I take a photo and scratches appear. I am not sure how it is doing it, but there is no doubt that my camera is to blame. :grumpy:
 
As others have said light has a lot to do with begin able to see or not see small scratches. I personally think the best way is to look at the blade outside on a beautiful sunny day. I used to have a problem with my knives magically "developing" scratches until I invested in a half dozen knife pouches. Know whenever I get a finish just how I want it they are in the case with a thick coat of 2 in 1 oil unless I am working on them in which case they are covered with oil soaked paper towel and electrical tape.
 
I to put in a Mercury Vapor light right above my finishing bench. My story is even worse. I had made my 5 JS test knives. Took them out in the hotel and went over them once more before presenting them for judging. Had my Optivisor with a loupe and went over every inch. Not a single scratch was noticed. I presented the knives and all looked good. When I came in and they told us all we had passed I reviewed my remarks sheets. On one of them it said SCRATCHES? I looked them over once more and sure enough there were 3 evenly spaced scratches on one of the blades. My heart sank like nothing else mattered. I had passed but was mortified there were scratches on one of my blades. Were did they come from. I can only guess. The magically appear at times. Just looking at them it seems can cause scratches. I guess that steely gaze has to stop eh.:D:D
 
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