Stonewashed vs competition finishes

My take on this is that it really depends what you mean be least amount of machining marks. I don't believe either finish really removes those to any significant degree. The stonewash will likely 'hide' the marks better and MAY potentially minimize them as well but it's still going to have obvious machining marks either way if you look closely.
 
I've got a couple Stonewashed offerings from Busse-- only marks I see are the visual highlights left behind from the "wash."

I can't feel them with my fingertip.

The stonewash finish feels completely smooth and slick-- a really nice, refined finish with lots of character. Reminds me of a polished granite countertop in that way-- smooth to the touch but with lots of figure.

I own quite a few Busse Competition finish-- my favorite Busse finish.

You have visual AND TACTILE remnants of the CNC'ing and machining left behind. They provide a lot of visual character also.

However, unlike stonewash finish, you can readily feel the marks in the Comp. Finish with your finger.

imho, the stonewash is a great offering for someone wanting a blade with lots of visual character but with a more refined, smooth finish.

Comp. Finish is great for using and any other marks/scratches you add just adds to it's already rugged, utilitarian finish.


Comp. Finish macro of marks on primary grind of TGULB...you can almost feel the marks coming thru your monitor, haha
egA5VDy.jpg


Comp. Finish of my TGLB:
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Comp. Finish on flat and secondary grinds of KPB:
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UnZLSBn.jpg


Comp Finish of Swamp Rat Mega Swampwarden:
lBAvTnH.jpg



Busse Stonewash on my DT, the black dust is kydex dust srry:
BwBZPVP.jpg

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Here's another really unique Busse finish for comparison The BIG grind <Busse Insustrial Grind>:
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you can polish out the machine marks, many have done mirror finish mods from stripped coated, but like previously mentioned, machine marks add a n additional unique cool factor.
 
Microbevel, based on your two options, you're gonna want stonewashed.

My preferences in order for final INFI blade treatment are: Double Cut Bead Blast (DCBB), Stonewashed then much further back... BIG, Stripped Nekkid (without machine marks of you're lucky... usually FH grinds are better for this), Satin, Coated, and then Competion (still a little gun shy from the Sarsquatch run).

Good luck on your search for the ONE!
 
DK94044 said:
you can polish out the machine marks, many have done mirror finish mods from stripped coated, but like previously mentioned, machine marks add a n additional unique cool factor.
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polish out? I'd say no unless you want to invest a lot of time

grind out...is more likely...here's the BIG finish after a good surface grinding and logo etching on one of mine <previous owner's pro-level grinding, not mine>:

CbJrE82.jpg

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Microbevel said:
Can someone tell me the difference in the two different finishes? I'm looking for the least amount of machining marks. I usually get coated blades, but might get a TGULB in an uncoated flavor.
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Are you going to USE it, or are you going to just HAVE it? And I'm not trying to be snarky, that's a real question.
I've used all of mine to one degree or another. Satin will have the least machining marks. But if you use it, it will pick up marks the quickest.
BIG is very close behind satin in picking up marks while being used.
DCBB gets a little smoothed by heavy use, but it isn't bad. Gives character. I don't recall seeing a lot of machining marks on any DCBB that I have.
Competition has the most machining marks, IME, other than what seem to be intentional marks in the BIG finishes. But it is darn hard to see any marks being picked up by a Competition finish. I'm sure they're there, but they jsut haven't been obvious to me.
I've only used stonewash a very little. Not heavy use. Minimal machine marks, and so far, has picked up minimal during use. BUT, that is with very minimal use.

This is just my experience, YMMV.
 
I've been beating my Busses silly since I bought 2 of the first 300 SHBM's from Jerry back in the 90's. So it will definitely be a user, but I don't like deep machining marks. I picked up a few microtech OTF's and a protech TR3 sterile Operator too, so I'm putting this blade on hold for a few weeks, but I know I will probably get the stonewashed finish when I do get my next Busse. Thanks everyone!
dogboye said:
Are you going to USE it, or are you going to just HAVE it? And I'm not trying to be snarky, that's a real question.
I've used all of mine to one degree or another. Satin will have the least machining marks. But if you use it, it will pick up marks the quickest.
BIG is very close behind satin in picking up marks while being used.
DCBB gets a little smoothed by heavy use, but it isn't bad. Gives character. I don't recall seeing a lot of machining marks on any DCBB that I have.
Competition has the most machining marks, IME, other than what seem to be intentional marks in the BIG finishes. But it is darn hard to see any marks being picked up by a Competition finish. I'm sure they're there, but they jsut haven't been obvious to me.
I've only used stonewash a very little. Not heavy use. Minimal machine marks, and so far, has picked up minimal during use. BUT, that is with very minimal use.

This is just my experience, YMM
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Garth Reckner said:
Both are going to show the machine marks. Stonewashed hides them a little better and in my opinion hides marks from use a bit better.

Garth
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You are right about that. Mine has light machining marks that you can see under certain angles but the stonewashed really helps hide them.

Tell Jerry thanks for finally offering the stonewashed finish. It’s great!
 
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