Satin finish

I

iowashtr23

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Apr 19, 2009
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Can someone tell me or point me in the right direction on how to obtain a Satin finish on my 3rd knife? I have a bead blaster but i have read that bead blasting makes the blade more vulnerable to moisture, so i though i would try putting a satin finish on it but do not have a clue on how to do it. Thanks
 
I know guys that do it with a belt but I know more that use a sisal wheel on the buffer.
 
I'm a new maker and the formula that i have worked out for a really nice satin is this:

60 grit for roughing

120 until all 60 grit scratches are gone

220

400

super fine green scotchbrite belt.



Another maker told me that this is the method he uses:

50 grit

180

fine blue scotchbrite belt.

Havent tried that one yet, but plan to.
 
With O1 you want the surface to be as smooth as possible and still keep the satin look. Any irregularities in the finish can retain water and cause rust issues. For my satin finishes on carbon steel, I just use a good wet/dry paper (3m or Norton). I start at 220 and go up in grit to 1200 then I put a fresh 600 grit finish on it by pulling in only 1 direction. I use cutting fluid throughout the process to keep the paper clean and it greatly reduces the swirls and fish hooks. It works great!

Oh, I forgot to mention... I use a hard rubber block to support the paper!
 
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Here's how I did my latest. Of course, it was S30v so rusting wasn't an issue. For O1 I would use a finer media that industrial silica. However, if properly oiled it shouldn't rust any more than normal.
36 grit
80
120
220
x60
x30
x15
industrial silica blast
You could probably skip the belts after 220 if you're going to blast it.

I'm kinda new, too, but if you ever want to get together and learn from each others mistakes. . . .
 
I guess we should ask the thickness of your stock...

Starting with a 36 grit belt and several other grit steps would possibly leave you thin on your edge/point if your stock is thinner to begin with.

With 3/16ths stock I generally start the rough grind with a 60 grit belt. You could probably go to 80 on any thinner material to start with.

Also, I always consider cost effectiveness. Belts and paper can get expensive. I always try to experiment. I've found in some instances you can get the same end result finish with 3 belts instead of using 6 or 7.

This is all based on experience and wasted money.
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, The thickness is 3/16 i have it to 220 right now. Gonna HT it tonight then temper then continue on with satin finish hopefully
 
oh i forgot to ask, do i do the typical back and forth action to sand or circular, or one direction?
 
Which way to hand sand? That's a very deep question, bordering on religious. Same say you have to hand sand each grit in alternating directions. Some prefer electric/air sanders until the final grit. In all honesty, if you blast it afterwards it won't matter.
 
a 220 belt finish is quite nice if you ask me. From there I'd hit it with a fine scotchbrite and call it good.

Hand finishing is awful for me. Does not suit my eye no matter how well done. I'm just not that type of knifemaker I guess.
 
well since this is only my 3rd knife i wouldn't say i'm an expert by any means but i guess you have to start somewhere right. All three of the knifes i have made are gifts. I'm not to the point at all that i think i could sell them even though i feel they are superior to alot of store bought knives. Once this knife is finished i will post a pic for you all to see and let you know how i got the satin finish on there. I haven't decided yet how i'm gonna do it.
 
First, you must define what satin means to you. (I've seen bead blasted to an almost mirror finish sold as "satin")

To me it means a not polished finish, but with lines that all run in 1 direction.

You achieve that with elbow grease, sanding with progressively higher grits until you get the look you are gunning for.
 
Use some Mobile 1 oil 5-30 on the metal while sanding. It will go a lot easier and you can sand back and forth without "fish hooks" showing up. Use a hard sanding block. Frank
 
psycho78 said:
a 220 belt finish is quite nice if you ask me. From there I'd hit it with a fine scotchbrite and call it good.

Hand finishing is awful for me. Does not suit my eye no matter how well done. I'm just not that type of knifemaker I guess.
Click to expand...

Blasphemy!! :D

Honestly, a 220 + scotchbrite belt finish can look just fine, especially for a hard-working knife that's going to get scratched anyway.
 
haha blasphemy schmlasphemy! :p

220 + fine scotchbrite is a nice working machine satin finish

400 + 600 + super fine green scotchbrite will knock your eyeballs out. :eek:

Good luck Iowa, on whatever finish you do.
 
psycho78 said:
haha blasphemy schmlasphemy! :p

220 + fine scotchbrite is a nice working machine satin finish

400 + 600 + super fine green scotchbrite will knock your eyeballs out. :eek:

Good luck Iowa, on whatever finish you do.
Click to expand...

Try to pronounce this word. Much easier to type, than to get your mouth to say lol.

Thanks for this thread, it's good to see all the different methods for a good satin finish! Or brushed, whichever you want to call it. Brushed, IMO, is the hand pulled finish. Satin would be done with a blaster of some sort.
 
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