Stonewash VS Beadblast

Stone wash uses actual pebbles to tumble the exterior of an item. Bead blasting uses various kind of media (sand, walnut shell, actual metal pellets, etc.) shot through a blasting gun at various PSI. Stone washing creates an even "scratched throughout" finish. Bead blasting creates, well, bead blasted finish. Not sure how else to explain it.
 
I like stonewashed and satin better for aesthetics and being slower to develop surface rust, but would not turn down a knife for having a beadblasted finish.
 
Also a Stonewashed finish doesn't pick up marks like a bead blasted blade.
The stonewash hides scratches and scuffs better than other finishes.
It's also more rust resistant from what I've read(not sure, never tested it).

EDIT:
Lol took a second because I had something to take care of and just almost repeated exactly what's above.
Sorry about that.

Also in my opinion, stone wash is just beautiful.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Also a Stonewashed finish doesn't pick up marks like a bead blasted blade.
The stonewash hides scratches and scuffs better than other finishes.
It's also more rust resistant from what I've read(not sure, never tested it).

EDIT:
Lol took a second because I had something to take care of and just almost repeated exactly what's above.
Sorry about that.

Also in my opinion, stone wash is just beautiful.
Click to expand...

Not to mention bead blasting creates a larger surface area on the blade which makes it more susceptible to rust.
 
Blasting can significantly work harden the surface of steel--I'm guessing much more so than the stone-washing process.
 
Been curious about the benefits of bead blasting as well. It looks okay when clean, but it seems to pick up stains much easier (presumably due to the porous surface) and is more prone to rusting for the same reason. Maybe it's a less expensive finish for manufacturing? If you wanted to coat the blade, the bead blasted surface should allow the paint to bond better, I suppose.
 
I like stonewashed finishes, but have come to dislike bead-blasted. I get the impression that bead-blasting is a cheaper way to finish a blade. It's gotten to where a bead-blasted blade is a deal-breaker for me.

Jim
 
Bead blasting all depends on the media being used.

I wouldn't consider it being a cheaper way to finish a blade, probably more labor in it than tossing it in a tumbler? that said though I prefer a stonewashed blade and bead blasted handle scales. I always reblast the scales on the Sebenza's I buy with glass beads, smooths out the rougher sand blast that CRK uses. The glass beads give more of a peened (sp?) finish, plus it is easier to give the scales a little spa treatment from time to time.

Here is a small micarta after a reblast. Might look the same to some but others who are more familiar will be able to tell the difference.

004-16.jpg
 
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