SCRATCH...! how do you remove blade scratches?

S

SleepingBear

Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
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I'm new to working knife steel...and I'm also new to this forum. I haven't figured out how to access the archives for topics like this. No doubt this topic is well discussed, yet it is one of my more important interests. I know enough to practice on some Thrift Shop kitchen knives, before I screw up one of my pride and joys...but...better than that...I've joined this Forum for experianced advice from a Bro...who's already been where I'm at now.
Please share your "tricks of the trade" and hopefully someday I may be able to return the favor.
I like my blades to look worked...but I hate scratches. What do you do to remove these without risking much blade loss? Both stainless steel, and my favorite..carbon steel? ....thanx Gare :)
 
Steel wool, Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish, a polishing wheel, lots of ways really. Usually I don't worry about scratches. Another way if you don't like the polish is to soak the blade (sans handle/screws/etc) in PB Etchant, it will give it a non-reflective grey finish (also removes scratches), if you want to know more about that I'll pull the thread up and post the link for ya.

Welcome to BFC!
 
It would depend on what kind of finish the blade has. For a beadblasted or coated blade you will have to live with it, as the only way to remove the scratches is to refinish the blade.

If it is a stonewash, polished, or semi-polished blade then yeah some fine sandpaper, steel wool, fiberglass scouring pads, polishing compounds, etc. will work. Ultimately though if you will be using the knives your best bet is to just learn to live with them.
 
Your right...I wouldn't fuss over scratches on some of my workers...but I do have some fancy lookers...where the scratches annoy me. Some knives..I'm collecting to resell, and dressing her up proper, will get more attendtion..and hopefully a better price. Would that make me a knife pimp?
But...more than anything...I'm learning the skills you already have...and this is one of my starting points. I've learned a lot of trades through the years...and this I know...you gotta pick a starting point...take it slow..learn to do something right the first time...take direction...and don't be afraid to ask questions...even at the obvious risk. :D
 
I have access to a sand blaster so if I buy my own beads I can bead blast my blades. This is by far the quickes and easiest way to make old stuff look new. But since you probably want a less expensive way you could:

Buy a tumbler like one of these. They are designed for cleaning spent ammo cartriges, but with the proper media you could use one to polish steel. I personally do not reccomend this method because you will have to disassemble the knife, put only the blade inside, then reprofile the edge once you are done. It would be a lot of work but it would give a nice "stonewashed" finish.

Or get some sand paper and a few sanding erasers like these. Start by taking the knife apart and sanding along the length of the knife till you get rid of all of the scratches then progress to ~ 400 grit paper. Reassemble the knife and next time you get more scratches there is no need to disassemble just get the sanding erasers and touch up the satin finish. This method requires a lot of work upfront to get a nice satin finish, but once you are there, touching up the knife is a piece of cake. This is currently my favorite method because the knife looks very nice, and mantinence is very easy.
 
Get a sanding eraser. That is what I use to clean up a rusted blade. I don't care much about scratches, but I notice that it does take them out while I am cleaning the blade.
 
You can use a Dremel tool and some Jewelers rouge to take the scratches out and give the blade a low luster shine. The fine folks of the Dremel tool company even sell a container of buffing compound that you can use with their cloth wheels on almost any blade, or ask a jewelers supply place about obtaining a higher grade of rouge. If its bead blasted or coated be prepared to do the entire blade to get a uniform finish. I have done this with Benchmades black coating on their D2 and M2 steel. Good luck!

710BMFAN
 
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