super fine stones

I was always under the impression that the hamon is a natural side effect of the differential heat treatment that the blade goes through, and that it can't be produced by polishing with a finer stone.

The price difference in 10k-12k stones makes it uneconomical for me to try and achieve anything with them, too. Apparently 3M polishing paper or news paper can achieve that stropped polished edge.
 
Most synthetic stones aren't for doing that sort of thing. Mild acids and etchants do a great job without costing hundreds of dollars or causing murderous rage.
 
It's my understanding that fine abrasives will destroy a hamon line. People that I know that do bring out the hamon line bead blast the blade w/ medium to course glass beads or use 220 grit sand paper. They then use a mild acid to etch the metal and bring out the contrast.

If you're asking about something more technical that I don't understand, your best bet would be to ask this question in the knife makers forum area.
 
I used sandpaper, the hamon started showing up at 400 grit.

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The hamon is created in heat treat, but polishing brings it out. Imagine if you sanded a traditional katana with 50 grit paper, the hamon would kinda disappear in the scratches, the opposite happens with polishing. Mild etchants & abrasives are used to develop the hamon, sandpaper being pretty common. The hamon should be popping well before 10K, but finger stones are around that level.
 
haven't tried this yet, but I was told to try 8000-10000 polishing stones using rice wine vinegar.. ? new one on me, I'll try it on some blade pieces first..G.

"Before starting to dig, know if you wish dirt, or a hole."
 
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