Sanding grit before developing the hamon with acids

[Heli00]

Hi,

How far should I be hand sanding, before starting developing the hamon with acid, etc. ?

Right now I’m at 400 grit. Pretty sure I still have more to go, but how far?

Thanks in advance,
Constantin

 

[Skiller1nc]

Lots of variation here between makers but imo a clean 1000 minimum, I go to 2k

 

[Heli00]

Whooo baby, lots more to go.
Thank you,

 

[Stuart Davenport Knives]

I go to 1500.

 

[Richard338]

It's a matter of taste.
Look at the How to Hamons thread that has fallen to the second page in the threads list right now. Joshua Fisher gets spectacular results and starts etching at 400.
Most people seem to go higher including me, but this is more of an art than a science.