Satin finish vs. Double cut

[rtiger2]

Hi Gang,

Since the search function is once again not working, maybe someone can help me with a newbie question: What specifically are the differences between the double cut finish and the satin finish?

Thanks

 

[Josh Muller]

from my understanding dcbb (double cut bead blast) finish is a second step to the satin finish. satin finish is just open steel thats been sanded to be in a uniform direction, where as the double cut bead blast is bead blasted once its been sand down, creating a completly uniform beat blasted surface (frosted steel in a way)

 

[Cobalt]

from my understanding dcbb (double cut bead blast) finish is a second step to the satin finish. satin finish is just open steel thats been sanded to be in a uniform direction, where as the double cut bead blast is bead blasted once its been sand down, creating a completly uniform beat blasted surface (frosted steel in a way)

that is the way I heard it, but that makes no sense. Why would you finish off a blade to Satin and then reduce it to bead blast, when you could have done that with less work by not sanding it to satin finish first. But whatever.

 

[Josh Muller]

that is the way I heard it, but that makes no sense. Why would you finish off a blade to Satin and then reduce it to bead blast, when you could have done that with less work by not sanding it to satin finish first. But whatever.

because bead blasting wont get rid of grind marks. with some of the rougher finish blades from busse (and form anyone), even at a mirror polish you can still see the larger sander marks on it, same goes for bead blasting

 

[Doberman_Dave]

I'll second that.

Some people have posted taking the paint off and producing a satin finish with sandpaper. Yikes. That paint fills some honkin' deep grind marks.

Even with a suitable grinder it's not a cake walk to get a mirror finish on hardened INFI (at least with my modest skills).

 

[Bravado]

also the dimples get removed.

 

[Silas]

Also without giving it a satin finish first you can end up with a very light or bright grey after BB it. Giving it a satin finish before BB it gives it a darker grey colour, more desirable IMO.

 

[Schuey2002]

Here's a shot of that frosted look on a Wauseon "night shift" blade..

 

[Chosen-frozen]

I'll second that.

Some people have posted taking the paint off and producing a satin finish with sandpaper. Yikes. That paint fills some honkin' deep grind marks.

Even with a suitable grinder it's not a cake walk to get a mirror finish on hardened INFI (at least with my modest skills).

Or mine either... and Jerry taught me everything I know about making knives.

 

[Chosen-frozen]

from my understanding dcbb (double cut bead blast) finish is a second step to the satin finish. satin finish is just open steel thats been sanded to be in a uniform direction, where as the double cut bead blast is bead blasted once its been sand down, creating a completly uniform beat blasted surface (frosted steel in a way)

Not quite right. To do the Satin finish, for the final step we didn`t use sandpaper on the grinder. We always finished with a scotchbrite wheel. It`s similar to the stuff they make those green pot scrubbers out of, just finer. This polishes the steel and closes the open pores left from grinding.
Double cut, as the name implies is a 2 step process. First the blade is sand blasted with a fine grit to removed any discoleration left from heat treating, and to help blend any scratches left from the grinder. Now the pores in the steel are quite open and even INFI wound rust eventually if left this way. The second step is to blast again with fine glass beads. This has an effect like using 1000`s of tiny ballpeen hammers. It closes the opened pores (Giving the bare steel some rust protection) and gives the blade a nice, uniform frosted look.
It`s best to do this with the handles OFF, so you don`t miss spots or wind up blasting the edges of your handle where they meet the tang. That can cause unsightly gaps.
Dave "Hoping to be back in the Custom Shop in 2 more years" Young