Makeshift polishing compound.

[Shoki]

Anyone know a good DIY polishing compound to touch up a lightly scratched San Mai blade? I tried toothpaste but it didn't really do anything and I'm afraid the uchiko powder I have may be too aggressive. I was thinking maybe a mixture of toothpaste, baking powder, and a soft rag with a little elbow grease. I don't have any cash at the moment so I can't get anything decent. What do you guys use in a pinch?

 

[65535]

You can usually find a good polish like Mothers, Flitz, and others for only a few bucks.

 

[Shoki]

Like I said, no money at the moment.

I did try baking soda mixed with toothpaste. Might be a promising light polish compound but didn't take the scratches out. Blade is shinier and my fingers are minty-fresh.

 

[SShepherd]

...a bit of an open ended question

how deep is the scratch? if you can feel it, it's going to take more than a polishing powder ( or a very long time using it)

 

[Shoki]

I can feel the worst of them with a fingernail but not with pad of my finger.

 

[69_knives]

High grit wet/dry sandpapers first then the polish compound.

I needed some polishing compound one night to bring out the hamon on a buffed/etched blade so I poured a bit of neetsfoot compound onto a cotton facecloth then rubbed in some green stainless grease buff compound.