I just bought a Sog spec-elite II used from a guy on e-bay. It has some chipping in the blade but they are only minor. It also has some wear on the silver finish. I was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of someone who can give the blade a good sharpening and possible take off the existing coating and polish out the blade.
G'day brendog,
I have just come in from a satidfying time in the shed doing just what you ask about so here goes.
Firstly I have a linisher and the first stage is one of those 'scotchbrite''type (dishscrubber material) belts that will remove any coating including rust and better than a wire brush in my experience.
I swap then to a 800 grit belt and apply it very carefully as these belt being so fine will bog up quickly so light and easy. If the blade is hollow ground so the 'grain' is back of knife to edge then thats the way your linish. It wont take long and your will have a very presentable 'ground' finish. then go to a 1000 grit belt. I wonder with these if the back is rougher than the cutting face at times. Go very lightly same way.
I am also blessed with a tapir spindle on the opp end of the linisher and then go from mid green buffing compound (its made in the US so you shouldnt have any trouble obtaining same) and a stitched mop. once the brightened steel appears and it looks good. Then, go to a spft mop(unstitched) or calico mop and use light green compound.
With these compounds its less not more. As always use a face shield and only ever buff the lower half of any item then turn it over. Keep all others away, the kids, the dog and nos yneighbours. If you are buffing towards the top edge then the buff can grab. I have had item pulled clean out of my hands in past times. (I am formerly a Sheet Metal Worker).
Keep a clean piece of dead t-shirt to carefully wipe the blade off after a buffing and saftey again keep the cloth at the other end of the bench again iof it grabs the buff it could all get nasty.
So decoat with 'scotchbrite'type belt.
Commence polish with mid green compound.
finish with light green.
I am currently refurbishing (or "doi-ing up") as we say an old "Ontario" survival knife and I have found a gem in their steel. OOh it does look good when fully buffed must be high chromium I'd say.
All the best hope that helps.
regards from Western Australia. 1806H 27-11-2010.
