paper micarta finish?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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I ran into some problems trying to polish paper micarta and would like any hints. I want to achieve as high a polish as possible and the Micarta in question is black with paper base, as stated. Here's what I did:
1) Sand with 320, 400, 600, then 1500.
2) Buff with muslin wheel with white compund.
There were still a lot of scratches noticeable (due to the sanding). The paper Micarta seems to scratch a heck of a lot easier and be a lot softer than linen or canvas. any ideas?

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Well, I'm not sure what would be the problem, but are you seeing scratches from the 1500 grit paper? Or scratches left over from previous grits? Or are the scratches appearing during buffing?

suggestions;
when changing paper grits, rub from a slightly different angle till ALL the scratches from the previous grit are gone.

keep your buffs covered or sealed in a ziplock bag when doing anything else in the same room. buffs will pick up grit from across the room (somehow) and scratch your work. Clean the buffs before each use too.

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With all the different grits you are using, shouldn't be any scratches left. Sounds like your buffing wheel may be contaminated.
Steve
 
the problem is, you shouldn't buff it. many makers say to, but i don't. sand through all the grits you mentioned, them just use 0000 steel wool. it'll be a very fine scratch free finish. if you want it finer, use ffff pumice, then rottenstone.
 
well...i have been using that stuff forever (well for a long time) and there are two problems....one is that its not soft, and the other is that it doesnt buff well. what i do is try to finish it nicely just like a regular knife....then GENTLY buff it, it begins to get like burn spots on it easily, dont buff for long in one place...i go over the whole handle lightly....look it over, then take a piece of 800 grit and sand the whole handle (by hand) with the scratches going the same way, concentrating on the places that need it most...then....i put the rake to the wheel/very important.....use some green chrome rouge...and go over it again...always with light pressure. thats the key...dont bear down like with a lot of other things...light pressure....keep loading the buff wheel lightly too.....and make sure you tear into the wheel with the rake before your final buff....if you have any pink buff compound you might want to finish with that..dont know if you realize but white is the same as green except the green is a lot more concentrated....thats what i have always been told.....

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I just did a bowie with it and buffed it real slick and shiney with white rouge. I hand sand through to a scotchbrite pad. Then buff it. No problems at all.

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
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