Techniques on finishing a blade

S

slip23us

Joined
Jan 2, 2009
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I am a intermediate knife maker, I have a hardcore 2 by 72 belt sander. What's are different wasy to finish a blade after heat treat is done. I'm having problems once I get to 600 grit and above it doesn't look right maybe I'm pushing the belts to far, cause the lines on a 400 belt look greatI don't really wanna do hand sanding anymore or scotch brite belts. Polishing I get confused on what to use too. Still wanna get a tumbler going as of now I just have motor and casters. Need help !!!!!
 
Hand sand above 400 grit. Use a hard and flat backing block. Change abrasives often. Lubricate the abrasive with soapy water, oil, or Windex.
 
Hand sanding will get rid of any slight flaws in the grind but. I found pushing just a little bit harder on the grinder with higher grit belts will get rid of the high & low spots and get the grind looking a lot smoother. Just remember to dip in water frequently as you don't want to mess up the temper.
 
For me, I have found that a lighter touch on the belt works well in the finishing stages. In the higher grit belts the backing is usually thinner. When you place your blade against a moving belt you have the "incoming" side that is turning towards your blade and an "outgoing" side that is turning away from your blade. When you push against the belt with a lot of pressure it causes the belt to slacken slightly on the incoming side causing ripples and unevenness on the bevels. If you use fresh sharp belts and use a lighter pressure against the belt you will generate less heat in the blade and the belt will lay flatter giving you cleaner grinds. The importance of using fresh sharp belts cannot be overstated. Also, if you have variable speed control, turn the speed way down when doing finishing work.
 
A few options are us Gator belt A30 (600 Grit)

Or you can use a 600 cork belt dry or one with Green compound and it will leave a beautiful satin finish
 
I use 2000 grit wet/dry automotive for finishing with Flitz polish paste. Sand 800 wet/dry to 2000 wet/dry. Best way.
 
slip23us said:
I just picked up a 600 cork belt from tru-grit today, thanks Adam !
Click to expand...


Once it is broke in, it will give you a nice finish. They are also great at cleaning up the plunge
 
I like Mother's metal polish after I get to 800 1000 grit. Finger polish and rub out with old Levi material. Make a hard edge with the Levi material and burnish. This will remove those last small swirls and spots that look like smudges, you know what I mean.
Using Windex to hand polish after the Mothers really cleans the steel surface.

The above is a good technique if your trying to bring out hamons after etching.

Fred
 
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