New Project: BK7 Strip and Polish... advice please?

[BePrepared]

Okay, the title says the goal. I've never done this, so i'll list my tools available, and maybe one of you nice people can help me figure out how to make it happen

I have the following

B&D sander
Worksharp WKSTS with all belts (220 up to 3000 grit)

Sandpaper (1000, 2000, and 3000 grit)

Polishing compounds (Grey, yellow, white)

Rem oil

Turtle Wax Metal polishing compound

So, can anyone tell me how to use these tools to put a nice shine on my blades.... assume i know nothing, cause you'd be close to right

 

[clich]

Get a paint stripper like kleanstrip. Its easier than sanding the coating off since your gonna need your strength. Strip it and start sanding. Start at 100, sand it really well, then 220 and sand until all the scratches from the 100 are replaced by smaller ones, them 400, then 600, then 1000, 2000, 3000. Then buff on a wheel with compounds. The sanding WILL TAKE HOURS so be prepared. But your name implies that

 

[BePrepared]

lol... can i use a powered sander, or is this a hand job?

 

[clich]

lol... can i use a powered sander, or is this a hand job?

Power tools remove too much steel too fast. One slip and your whole project is ruined. Stay safe and do it by hand. That way it becomes a knife you love, not one you used as a learn tool that sits in a drawer. Unless you are fully confident in your power sanding abilities. Or you practice practice practice on some junk steel.

 

[BePrepared]

Practice steel: Cold steel kukri Machete x2.... check

 

[Jake5713]

lol... can i use a powered sander, or is this a hand job?

Haha
Handjob

 

[trailbum]

Don't do it..
Nooooooooooooo

 

[MADSTEEZE]

I did 100, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 2000.

Just be easy with the 100. After a total of 8-9 hours of sanding I still ended up with some 100 scratches that never came out.

I'd recommend taking more time in each grit. Patience for sure, it takes a long time.

I buffed with a buff wheel and white compound.

Good luck

 

[Tin.Man]

I have polished a few beckers and esee's and I do it all by hand. It becomes a labor of love that way.

Even the polishing. Go up to 1000 or 2000 in sandpaper, then get some flitz polish and a rag and you can make a mirror no problem.

 

[CamH_16]

lol... can i use a powered sander, or is this a hand job?

Poor choice of words there mate...

 

[CamH_16]

Hey, maybe remember to sand downward? I duno, since the original grind marks go vertically it might be better to follow them down rather than horisontally...Ask someone else to check before doing this.