Removing scratches (and a caution to WSKO-BGA users)

[SunOfAtom]

I was sharpening one of my wife's kitchen knives and noticed that I had put some scratches into the blade. I realized it is from steel/belt grit that settles on the alignment platform (where you set the knife down in order to re-orient the blade in a flat position). I guess I have never sharpened knives with such a nice satin finish, since I have sharpened plenty of knifes but never noticed scratches like these. It makes sense that this can happen (vibrations from the machine+grit+nice finish) and I'll now be taping off the sides plus wiping off the platform.

Any ideas on if/how I can remove or minimize these scratches? Obviously the knife still works fine and they won't bother my wife at all, but they will certainly bother me.

Thanks!

 

[Bobby3326]

It's caused by the steel particles from grinding getting stuck on the guides. I can't tell how deep they are, but when I first got my wskt I did the same and was able to remove 95% of em with done flitz polish and a buffing pad on a dremel.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Some linear spine-to-edge sanding with 320-400 grit wet/dry sandpaper would likely remove the scuffs. 320-grit seems to emulate a lot of factories' satin finishes. Since the Wusthof logo on the blade seems to be partially affected also, it might be dimmed or removed by sanding. Some additional polishing, after the sanding, should bring up the 'gloss' a bit, to emulate the rest of the factory's 'glossy satin' finish. Polishing alone probably won't remove all of the scuffs; the remaining scratches may stand out more after polishing, if not sanded off first.

I have a Wusthof tomato knife (serrated w/fork tip) which has been scratched similarly under all the 'experimental sharpening' I've done with it. I used sandpaper as described above to clean most of it up.


David

 

[SunOfAtom]

Excellent, thanks guys. I had no idea what grit might closely resemble the factory grind, and did not want to make things worse by starting off too coarse or fine. I'll pick up a few grits in this range as well as some polish, and let you know how it goes.

Dave

 

[Bobby3326]

Excellent, thanks guys. I had no idea what grit might closely resemble the factory grind, and did not want to make things worse by starting off too coarse or fine. I'll pick up a few grits in this range as well as some polish, and let you know how it goes.

Dave

I just noticed you're using the blade grinding attachment. Be careful on the lower angles with the adjustable pulley in its highest position. I've had the face of the blade brush against that wheel resulting in scuffs like that too.