How to mirror polish a blade tutorial

Steel130

Steel130

Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
4,583
Alright guys here is the tutorial I said I would do. I did make a mistake. On this full flat ground blade I should have started with a 320 grit sandpaper or something, as I had a few light grind marks in it. Live and learn. Thanks to all who watch, and to those who have subscribed. More stuff to come.
[video=youtube;TMKDg1mBaP8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMKDg1mBaP8[/video]
 
good stuff. I have a dremel so it'll probably take me a bit longer. hopefully I can find the right grit sanding wheels for it.
 
good job! where'd u pick up the discs from, lowes?
 
I get them from work. My Dad works in a body shop at a Marina and he gets them through Ridge Napa. The paper costs about 1$ a sheet but like I said, 3M makes the best stuff IMO and my Dads. So its worth it.
 
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Wow! I must have done something wrong then. It was silly of me to think a felt wheel with compound on a flex shaft rotary tool would polish metal. To a mirror shine. With no waves or other distortions. It was down right arrogant of me to think that it could be done...

And that was all pure sarcasm. Of course it can be done. I have done it. I won't say it was quick or easy, but I was successful. That said, if someone had offered advice and let me know the time and effort that would be required, I would have reconsidered.

Bill, rather than popping off a one sentence dismissal, please offer thoughtful and helpful commentary or suggestions. Provide information that will allow readers to make informed choices.

Thanks, from everyone who will ever read this forum.
Dave
 
an explanation would have been nice but I'm guessing it's because it's harder to get an even job. I was going to do it to a CRKT ripple which has a narrow blade and I might do the last sanding stages by hand if it looks like it's not even, but I'm not super worried about what it looks like up close. it's a gentleman's knife project so I'm just concerned how it looks to other people who might be around if I have to use my knife at a wedding or some formal thing. honestly, I bought the knife without being able to handle it first and like a fool threw the receipt and package away right off the bat, not that I dislike it enough to return it but it is my least favorite knife right now.
 
bigghoss said:
an explanation would have been nice but I'm guessing it's because it's harder to get an even job. I was going to do it to a CRKT ripple which has a narrow blade and I might do the last sanding stages by hand if it looks like it's not even, but I'm not super worried about what it looks like up close. it's a gentleman's knife project so I'm just concerned how it looks to other people who might be around if I have to use my knife at a wedding or some formal thing. honestly, I bought the knife without being able to handle it first and like a fool threw the receipt and package away right off the bat, not that I dislike it enough to return it but it is my least favorite knife right now.
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You can do it with a Dremel. But if you want to send it to me I will give it a shot for free.
 
Steel130 said:
You can do it with a Dremel. But if you want to send it to me I will give it a shot for free.
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Damn i would gladly pay for someone to polish the scratches out of a bowie i have a over enthusiastic previous owner did a number on.
 
Steel130 said:
You can do it with a Dremel. But if you want to send it to me I will give it a shot for free.
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hmmm. I kinda torn now between getting it done for free and wanting to do it myself so I can say I did it myself, a pride of ownership kinda thing. I got some crappy stainless 1911 mags laying around so maybe I'll practice on one and if I can't do it I'll take you up on your generous offer. that's really cool of you to offer dude. thanks.
 
bigghoss said:
hmmm. I kinda torn now between getting it done for free and wanting to do it myself so I can say I did it myself, a pride of ownership kinda thing. I got some crappy stainless 1911 mags laying around so maybe I'll practice on one and if I can't do it I'll take you up on your generous offer. that's really cool of you to offer dude. thanks.
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Ok man I totally understand wanting to do it yourself too. If you end up wanting me to do it just send me an email.
 
Legion 12. I will do yours for free too. I am trying to do a few freebies to get some feedback going. I have considered upgrading my membership to service provider and offering different blade finishes ect. But I dont know.
 
bfnewbie said:
I'll volunteer a leek blade if you want to do it :)
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Sure thing man. Hit me up on my email I will send you my address. I was going to buy one of those composite Leek blemishes KershawGuy had because I thought that brazed line would look sweet inbetween two mirrors.
 
There is not enough surface area on Dremel accessories to give an even finish.
You can hand sant to 2500 grit or higher, and then hand polish with Simichrome or similar polish
 
it may be difficult but it's not impossible plus the blade I'm planning to do this to has a very narrow profile unlike the spyderco in the vid, roughly the size of my index finger. I have a handful of crappy stainless 1911 mags laying around that I'm going to practice on first and if it really is that hard to do then I'll try it by hand.
 
You won't get an even surface finish.
I have been using rotary tools and polishing metals for almost 40 years. Try the hand sanding.
 
steel130, when you come down i'll show you how i put the mirror finish on kalama :D kalama.jpg

anyone else can send me an email with your phone number and i'll tell you how i done it. (i dont feel like typing it out :D) its hard work with or without power tools and it can be aggrivating but the knife will look good when you are done. it will take a little longer without powertools and a buffer to put the final polish on.
 
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