Is sandblasted/ media blasted finish tacky?

Bfusmc03117

Bfusmc03117

Joined
Dec 29, 2008
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Was trying some sand blasting out as a finish on some knives . I used only a medium sand. I like how it gave the metal a uniform darker color. After blasting I smoothed it out with some 0000 steel wool. Feels smooth, looks uniform ,and in my opinion pretty good. But would you guys consider it tacky, or perhaps an easy way out for obtaining a uniform symmetrical finish on a blade?

I love the look of hand polishing a blade . But I also love the idea of sand/media blasting if I'm making a knife that is meant to be thumped on used heavily in the outdoors or what have you. Because I know my hand polished blades I tend to baby them more.

Just looking for some second opinions about the process.
 
Well,
Sand blasting and most coatings except maybe to give corrsion resistance "Just use stainless is my awnser" are a way to avoid all the labor intensive work of a hand rubbed finish.

That's not a bad thing, if you are building for a lower price point or as a field thumper.

The part that I personally think gets tacky is all the hype some use to cover the reason for the less costly finish.
Like its so you don't give away your postion or our special coating makes our knives just slide through what you are cutting because of less resistence, that kind of talk is where the tact is.
 
I do not really like a "sand blasted" finish but I do like a "Glass bead blasted" finish on some knives. It can leave a nice smooth matte finish on a blade. On a high carbon blade if left untreated it can corrode easier, but if treated with a protective oil or wax it will help prevent corrosion because the textured finish actually hangs onto the oil/wax better.

One this is apparent is many customers just do not want a "Shiny" blade all the time. They like Satin, Stonewashed, tumbled and bead blasted finish as well.
 
as long as the finish fits the knife, I think either is good. sometimes I like a new shiny look, sometimes I like the darker. +1 on don't give me a crazy justification why you did, just tell me that is how you wanted it to look.
 
I don't think it's "tacky" when done well. It looks absolutely awful when done poorly, though. (ask me how I know)

My main concern with media blasting is that it promotes corrosion. There are ways around that, as mentioned above... but I prefer not to rely on coatings or treatments or wax/oil... all of which are going to fail eventually.
 
So say for 1084 if it was bead blasted to a smooth finish . If I don't treat it or parkerize it will it speed up the corrosion process? I usually work with 1084 or 1095
 
Bfusmc03117 said:
So say for 1084 if it was bead blasted to a smooth finish . If I don't treat it or parkerize it will it speed up the corrosion process?
Click to expand...

Yes. Even fine media will leave lots and lots of tiny little divots in the surface... those are a magnet for moisture and whatnot.

If you want it to resist corrosion as much as possible without coating, handsand to at least a clean 400 grit finish... preferably 2000. Most guys stop around 400 or 600 grit.
 
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