So here's the story about my second 25... A couple months ago, I had to sell my 25, needed the money, as many have probably been in the same situation. I let it go relatively cheap - cheapest i have ever seen one go for on the excange here. And I hated doing it.
On down the road a bit, I saved up the cash, and decided I had to try out an XM-18 3.5 Spanto. The very same day i received it, I knew it wasn't for me. Many people swear by them, and they are very fine knives. But the 25, to me, is FAR superior. Having excellent resale/trade value, I posted I wanted to trade it for a 25. Long story short, I found someone who was the exact opposite of me, and wanted to trade their 25 for my XM. Perfect! Trades tlike that, making both parties very happy, are what it's all about.
When I finally got it (which seemed like forever, and we all know that "wait"), I was even more happy to discover it was so new, it hadn't even been broken in yet! I had spent quite a bit of time cycling my previous one, tuning it, and getting it right to it's "sweet spot". I didn't wanna wait for this one, so here's what I did...
I took it apart again, and decided to polish the washers, and the pivoting part of the blade. I used a piece of leather - a cut out section of an old Redwing work boot, some rubbing compound (whatever the stuff is that automotive painters use), and some 1200 grit sandpaper. I put a dab of compound on the leather, the "inside" part, and just used my finger to work it in circular motions. In about a minute, it was shiny like a mirror! Success! So I did the other one. Then I did both sides of the blade, right where the washers make contact. Cleaned it all up, applied Nano Oil (Great Stuff!!), re-assembled it, and WOW!!! It was like glass! SOOOO very smooth! Now it opens and closes exactly how I want it, and even better than my last one (which I didn't polish in this manner).
My next step is to attempt stonewashing, and anodizing... We shall see!
Oh yeah, sandpaper is NOT needed! Compound and leather works PERFECTLY! Takes nothing off, just puts a perfect polish on... I love it!!
On down the road a bit, I saved up the cash, and decided I had to try out an XM-18 3.5 Spanto. The very same day i received it, I knew it wasn't for me. Many people swear by them, and they are very fine knives. But the 25, to me, is FAR superior. Having excellent resale/trade value, I posted I wanted to trade it for a 25. Long story short, I found someone who was the exact opposite of me, and wanted to trade their 25 for my XM. Perfect! Trades tlike that, making both parties very happy, are what it's all about.
When I finally got it (which seemed like forever, and we all know that "wait"), I was even more happy to discover it was so new, it hadn't even been broken in yet! I had spent quite a bit of time cycling my previous one, tuning it, and getting it right to it's "sweet spot". I didn't wanna wait for this one, so here's what I did...
I took it apart again, and decided to polish the washers, and the pivoting part of the blade. I used a piece of leather - a cut out section of an old Redwing work boot, some rubbing compound (whatever the stuff is that automotive painters use), and some 1200 grit sandpaper. I put a dab of compound on the leather, the "inside" part, and just used my finger to work it in circular motions. In about a minute, it was shiny like a mirror! Success! So I did the other one. Then I did both sides of the blade, right where the washers make contact. Cleaned it all up, applied Nano Oil (Great Stuff!!), re-assembled it, and WOW!!! It was like glass! SOOOO very smooth! Now it opens and closes exactly how I want it, and even better than my last one (which I didn't polish in this manner).
My next step is to attempt stonewashing, and anodizing... We shall see!
Oh yeah, sandpaper is NOT needed! Compound and leather works PERFECTLY! Takes nothing off, just puts a perfect polish on... I love it!!
That new bead blast looks sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
