scotchbrite a beadblasted strider blade?

dskobli · Dec 24, 2013

I recently aquired a smf nsn off a forum. It had a couple little tiny stains or rust spots in one little section. Very minute and ai should of just left it alone but I am ocd and had to try and fix it. I was reading how to do this on an old post and someone mentioned a scotchbrite pad. I gently scrubbed it out but made a lighter spot on the blade now. So my question is would I be able to do the whole blade with scotchbrite and not have scratches that look like brush strokes or would I just ruin it? It wouldn't bother be to have it all lighter but I just don't want it to look like I took sand paper to it. I know I could always send it in or have someone else bead blast it but for now it's still new to me and going to be a user so i'm just wondering if I can make it look nice or if I should just leave it alone for now? If I knew how to post pictures I would. Right now it just has one little spot that's lighter but looks like it has very shallow scratching.

Redmasta · Dec 25, 2013

The green scotch brite pads will definitely micro scratch the blade they are quite aggressive. I used to use those to rebrush the steel clasps and bracelets on some my watches when they get scuffed up. I now use the grey ultra fine 3M scotch brite pad as its not as aggressive and makes a finer more satin brushed look. If you're ok with a brushed finish you could do the entite blade using water and a scrotch brite pad going in one direction.

With bead blasted finishes you have to be careful as its extremely easy to alter the appearance. To remove rust and clean spots I would only use an eraser and some CLP.

If its a user I'd just use it and let new scratches cover up what you did as you will see every little mark on a bead blasted finish anyway.

dskobli · Dec 25, 2013

Thanks for the reply but I just went ahead and did it with the green pad wet in one direction. I did the whole grinded part of the blade and I think it looks kind of cool. It fades into full bead blast near the handle. It's also smoother and slices better. I may go back and try it with the grey uf you mentioned. I didn't know they made diff grits. I wish I had known about the eraser before but I don't think it looks bad now. Eventually I will probably send it in and get a different Finnish if strider will do it. I'd like stonewashed because of how good it hides blemishes. If not I will probably just get it reblasted. My dad has a sandblasting cabinet as well so I could even probably do it myself if I can get some glass or whatever will work to blast it. I just don't like how it shows every single mark and makes it more prone to rust or staining. Wish I could post a pic to get other people's opinion on how it looks now.

dskobli · Dec 26, 2013

Where can I find the grey scotchbrite? Just looked at my local Wal-Mart but all they have is green?

Redmasta · Dec 27, 2013

You may have to order online or if youre lucky you can find them at a paint/building supply store. Theyre called 3M Grey ultra fine scotch brite pads.

I see you already went at the entire blade. If you want a nice satin finish I'd remove the blade from the handle and taking the 3M pad soaked in water brush with even continous strokes in the same direction using light pressure. Going from the spine down to the edge seems to be most common direction.

Afterwards if you want you can use some jewelers polish to give it a slight sheen.

If you take your time it should come out nice. Worst case just bead blast it again.

blacksheep25 · Dec 28, 2013

Strider won't SW (stonewash) your blade; IIRC they will only BB (bead blast) it.
BB sucks IMHO, bought a user NSN SMF off a soldier, it had pitting from the BB finish, which seems more prone than other finishes.
You'll need to have a pimper SW it, but that could void your warranty.
Mick Strider confirmed that using a scotch brite pad on the blade (just stay out of the pivot area) does not void your warranty.

pmeisel · Dec 30, 2013

Most good auto parts places (those that serve professionals) will either have or order the full range of scotchbrite. Check the 3 M catalog so you know what stock number you are looking for, the parts counter guys aren't good on grey vs. red etc. plus there are three shades of grey. 7448 is the number of the finest one, about 800-1000 grit. Maroon is about 400 grit. White is even finer than the finest gray and is very nice for polishing.

N8FO · Dec 30, 2013

I've polished an nsn smf bb blade with a cheap ass dremel and some polish compound, looks alot nicer than the bead blastfrom strider imho.