Recommendation? Options to finish a blade

[Blackdirt cowboy]

On the few blades I’ve made so far, I’ve just taken them to 600 grit on the belt grinder and left them finished that way. Can y’all recommend other ways to finish the blade? On a skinner I’m currently working on, I’m etching the blade in vinegar to see what that looks like. Are there any other ways I can finish the blade? I’m not interested in taking anything to a mirror finish as of now.

 

[Joshua Fisher]

On the few blades I’ve made so far, I’ve just taken them to 600 grit on the belt grinder and left them finished that way. Can y’all recommend other ways to finish the blade? On a skinner I’m currently working on, I’m etching the blade in vinegar to see what that looks like. Are there any other ways I can finish the blade? I’m not interested in taking anything to a mirror finish as of now.

Stone washing a blade is another good utility finish, and you’ve already got the first step done by etching in vinegar or acid. You can tumble the blade after etching in either tumbling media or small rocks and pebbles just put a little bit of water and dish soap in with the media or rocks, that also helps neutralize the acid.

 

[DustinY]

I'd like a proper stone washing setup and to figure out how to get it decent off the belts, I presume micro mesh would be involved.

 

[Scaniaman]

Cork is nice and keeps transitions pretty crisp. Also blends stuff a little.

 

[john april]

scotchbrite finish, 1000 finish grit looks really nice, stonewashed, a different sized grit on the flats than on the bevels going in different directions looks good too.

 

[HSC ///]

Parkerized

 

[A.McPherson]

To me nothing beats a good, ol' hand rubbed satin finish... Maybe 6 or 800 grit is the best in my opinion.

 

[Ken H>]

Doing your final grinding in the lengthwise manner will save lots of hand sanding. take a look at this thread:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...-compound-curvature-platen-very-cool.1022941/

You might check this video:

 

[Horsewright]

All my stainless baldes are finished up to 220 on the belt and then a green Scothbrite belt. This gives a very good using finish:

Damascus I finish to 600 on the grinder and then etch:

26C3 I also take to 600 grit on the ginder:

 

[AVigil]

On the few blades I’ve made so far, I’ve just taken them to 600 grit on the belt grinder and left them finished that way. Can y’all recommend other ways to finish the blade? On a skinner I’m currently working on, I’m etching the blade in vinegar to see what that looks like. Are there any other ways I can finish the blade? I’m not interested in taking anything to a mirror finish as of now.

What steel are you using?

 

[Blackdirt cowboy]

Mostly using carbon steels. 1084 and 80crv2.

 

[AVigil]

Mostly using carbon steels. 1084 and 80crv2.

Mustard patina looks great