Satin finishing a khuk

R

Rich_S

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Dec 3, 2005
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I think I'm going to take the plunge and apply a satin finish to my 18" AK, since I'm getting tired of constantly polishing it. What's the best way to go about this? I searched the archives and some people say to use 000 steel wool, others to use a green Scotchbrite with WD-40. I want it to look nice and even, not like it's just all scratched up.
 
400 grit SiC wet or dry used with light oil or water. If it's too much, go over with 600 grit. Be dayumed careful and don't cut yourself. Don't try power buffing unless you know the safety rules and have had experience. Hand sanding is fine, and not too time consuming.
Or try one of the patinas discussed here earlier. Good luck and post pix.
 
I use 600 grit by hand.
very easy, no worries about scratched look.


munk
 
Ok, went over it with 600 grit. It looks about 90% of where I want it. There are some areas of the blad that must be a little depresserd or something because I can't get the sandpaper in then to remove the mirror finish. I may have to wrap it around a toothpick or use a compound or something.
 
Did you use WD-40? or some kind of oil?

That will help the cutting action of the sandpaper.


Personally, I use this paper:

3M No-Load Sandpaper
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=20177&cat=1,42500

Everything else takes much longer and wears out quicker.


Still, though, when I satin-finish a khukuri, it takes quite a bit of elbow grease to get 'er done...especially the low spots.
 
Daniel Koster said:
Did you use WD-40? or some kind of oil?

That will help the cutting action of the sandpaper.


Personally, I use this paper:

3M No-Load Sandpaper
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=20177&cat=1,42500

Everything else takes much longer and wears out quicker.


Still, though, when I satin-finish a khukuri, it takes quite a bit of elbow grease to get 'er done...especially the low spots.
Click to expand...

I did use the 3M no load sandpaper, but no oil.

It looks pretty good now. There are some low spots (either dots or streaks) that seem to want to retain their mirror polish no matter how much I rub - the sandpaper just isn't reaching the metal in those tiny spots. Any tips?
 
try it with some oil first...then see what remains. Sometimes there are just marks in the steel from forging that are too deep to get to without a soft buffing wheel.

You can also try a scotchbrite pad, SOS pad, etc.

Either way, though...using a cutting liquid makes a big difference.
 
Daniel Koster said:
try it with some oil first...then see what remains. Sometimes there are just marks in the steel from forging that are too deep to get to without a soft buffing wheel.

You can also try a scotchbrite pad, SOS pad, etc.

Either way, though...using a cutting liquid makes a big difference.
Click to expand...

Wow! I just went over the whole khuk again with 600 grit + WD-40 and then a heavy duty scotch brite + WD-40. Huge difference. It looks perfect now. Many thanks.
 
Well... There is the option of going down to a much coarser grade (80 -100)and working the whole blade out dead-flat, then working up to 600 in increments. Now we're talkin' elbow grease. :)
 
That's another good idea.
Or, you could have it run over by an Abrams tank and forget about minor blems.



munk
 
munk said:
That's another good idea.
Or, you could have it run over by an Abrams tank and forget about minor blems.
munk
Click to expand...

That was going to be my next suggestion. Thanks Munk:rolleyes:
 
glad to see it worked for you, Rich. :thumbup:
 
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