Refinishing a Carbon V blade?

Colt6731

Colt6731

Joined
Jan 8, 2002
Messages
1,277
Picked up a Cold Steel Trailmaster at a garage sale this morning, for $15. The blade is really stained and I would like some suggestions on refinishing the blade. Could it just be bead blasted? I really dont want a real bright, factory style blade finish, more of a satin or BB finish. What are some options to try?
 
If you bead blast it, the corrosion will be back worse than ever. It creates many pockets for rust to start.
I would just take it to a knifemaker, and have them run a scotchbrite belt over it. That will give you a satin finish, not quite so prone to tarnish/rust.
 
If I were you I would sell it to me for $25 and shipping.;)
I am placing a new handle on my SRK, and am getting familiar with the type of handle CS places on their fixed blades.

I would go at it with 100 grit on a sanding block and go up to 400. (It is a flat grind IIRC.)I have finished old knives like this and it is a good finish, not to polished, yet not too scratched.

Just remember to give it a good rub down with oil when you put it down and when you get back from the field.

Now that you have got me thinking, you might want to rub it down to 400 then blue it. I blued my 4" Twistmaster and it took real well and looks much better than the beat up tarnished finish.
 
This one you can do yourself Colt :)
I'm no knifemaker, but I managed to take the ugly black finish off of my Recon Scout.
Here it is "Before"
nekkidRS.jpg

and after, hand sanded at 800 grit.
RS800.jpg

Just stop when you get to the finish you like!
I used a leather backing for the sandpaper, plenty of WD40 and the biggest lesson I learned is to sand only in one direction!
North, north, north...
NOT North South, North South, North South!!!

Beknives has a good tutorial on his site, I don't have the URL on this 'puter...I'm sure you can find it.
Oh yeah, and watch your fingers ;)
 
Zirblast ceramic beads will peen the surface, thus closing it up and providing resistance to rust about the same as a satin finish. They produce a nice silver/gray finish. Of course the Zirblast beads are about $180 per 2 1/2 gallon bucket.
 
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