Satin Finish To Mirror Finish

[JRiefer]

I have a kit blade satin finished, but would prefer the mirror look. Since it's hardened, will I mess it up with progressive grit sanding and then buffing with different rouges attempting to change it?

Thanks for any info and/or opinions.

------------------

Joe

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.

 

[Jerry Hossom]

All knives are polished after hardening. (Well there are exceptions to everything, but I haven't heard of one in this case, though I'm sure I will now

). And before they are polished they are satin from the sanding. Should be no problem, just a lot of work.

------------------
Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com

 

[Fox]

Joe - I have done this many times with ATS-34, 440C and carbon steels. Here is a method that works for me. There are two essentials: do not let the blade get hot when buffing and make sure you get all deep scratches out of the blade by changing your sanding direction 90 degrees with each change in grit size. I use a stainless cutting compound made by a company called Osborne. It is the best I have ever used and it allows me to begin buffing after sanding to only 600 grit. Before buffing I use the 600 grit and sand in two directions 90 degrees apart along the blade: tip to ricasso and spine to blade. That has always gotten all the deep scratches out for me. When done with the Osborne I used white and then red rouge and get a nice mirror shine.

Fox