Just wondering if anyone has sanded smooth the edges on the handle scales of their sodbuster. Not to say that it's neccesary, I just decided to try it, and for me the resulting smooth feel in my hand was definately an improvement. I did it using 800 and 1500 grit automotive wet/dry sandpaper. I finished it off with a carnuba car wax. My only dissapointment with the end result is some scratches in the middle of the scales that I can't seem to smooth away. Can anyone recomend a way to possibly get rid of the remaining scratches? Maybe going up to a 2000 grit? Thanks.
messed around with my Case sodbuster...
- Thread starter p'chop
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You'll likely need to go to a coarser grit, instead of finer. Chances are, the remaining scratches were created at the start (or they were there before you started sanding). If the 1500 grit didn't remove them, 2000 grit won't do it either (unless you sand for a very long time).
If the scratches were created at the start (with 800 grit), you might try an intermediate grit (between 800 and 1500) to smooth them out, then move on to the 1500 after that.
If the scratches were present before the 800 grit sanding, and the 800 didn't remove them, that implies you'll need to go lower than 800 grit to smooth them out (maybe down to 400, or lower).
Sanding always works much better when you progress more gradually, such as from 200 to 400, then from 400 to 800, 800 to 1000, etc. That makes it easier for each grit to smooth out the relatively deeper scratches from the previous grit.
If the scratches were created at the start (with 800 grit), you might try an intermediate grit (between 800 and 1500) to smooth them out, then move on to the 1500 after that.
If the scratches were present before the 800 grit sanding, and the 800 didn't remove them, that implies you'll need to go lower than 800 grit to smooth them out (maybe down to 400, or lower).
Sanding always works much better when you progress more gradually, such as from 200 to 400, then from 400 to 800, 800 to 1000, etc. That makes it easier for each grit to smooth out the relatively deeper scratches from the previous grit.
Thanks Obsessed'. The knife was brand new and blemish free when I started the project. So I'll see if 1000 grit will smooth it and if not, then the whole process will start again using something a lil' coarser than the 800 I started with. As long as I can achieve the same end result of a smoothed handle, the extra work is worth it. ( the black comp scales remind me more of a smooth bone handle now.)
Just a quick update. I lightly resanded with 800 grit wet / dry paper and then went back up to 2000 grit. I finished the scales off with a few coats of carnuba wax. Made for a smoother feel in hand and looks more like bone than a composite. Finish has just as much sheen as it it did before I started this so I'm satisfied with the outcome. Thanks for the advice Obsessed'.
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