"How To?" Satin Finish

[DirtDiver]

Whats the best way to put on a satin finish at home? What products have worked best for you?

 

[Solstice]

Wow... where's the love guys?

This might have been a better thread to post in one of the other sections of the forum. I believe that there's a new section that is dedicated to helping people with such things. Can't remember the name of it right now, has to do with sharpening and such. I believe that Cliff Stamp is one of the Mods.

Anyhow... some of the blades I've done always start out with a high grit sandpaper, usually wet/dry. I usually start with something like a 120 but have used 300 before. Done some wet and others dry but always end up going wet with the higher grits. Trick is to go with the grain of the blade. Start at the top of the grind and work your way down towards the edge. The higher grit you go the more mirrior finish you'll get. Most of what I've read states that Satin Finishes end with a 600 grit. What the blade material is does make a difference on how it will turn out, D2 is the worst to work with. Trial and error is the key. You can start over if you see that the finish is becoming too "shiny". It's not an easy task by no means but you can get some decent results if you take your time.

Hope this helps.

 

[GALAXYTECH]

yep,,

the sandpaper and elbow grease technique will defenitly work,, but the way the knife manufactures usually does it is by using the satin finishing discs, below is one of many companies that sell the discs

http://shorinternational.com/SatinFinish.htm

 

[DirtDiver]

Thanks alot!!! I'll give that a try.

 

[0ni]

One more thing to consider is if you use a "wheel" instead of sandpaper, you might damage the temper. I would think if this is done on a production blade, it would be done before the tempering process.
Also if you haven't invested in a tufcloth of some kind, you might consider it.
Take it slow and good luck!

 

[rbmcmjr]

One more thing to consider is if you use a "wheel" instead of sandpaper, you might damage the temper. I would think if this is done on a production blade, it would be done before the tempering process.

This might be a concern for other knives, but not INFI. Quoth Jerry in this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1072742&postcount=2

As for INFI and temperature extremes, it is amazing. INFI is tempered at nearly 950 degrees. It does not begin to lose any significant hardness until it is held above 1050 degrees for a considerable amount of time. I have to believe that it would need to be extremely mishandled in order to do any noticeable damage.

Most of the simpler high carbon steels (of which INFI is NOT a member) can be drawn down in temper in a matter of seconds if the temperature hits above 500 - 800 degrees. Along the thin edge of a knife, a buffer or dremel can produce this level of heat and can cause serious damage if not executed by a professional. Always check the grade of steel and heat-treat specs. before assassinating it with the dremel tool Uncle Leo gave you for Christmas. Always keep the steel cool to the touch and you should be fine.

 

[ejskle]

..........

 

[RokJok]

I believe that there's a new section that is dedicated to helping people with such things. Can't remember the name of it right now, has to do with sharpening and such.

That would be "The Toolshed" forum here on BFC (link below) that is the gathering place for folks with knife sharpening, modification, or embellishment questions or comments.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=794