Those Blasted Finishes...

[aznpos531]

Lots of knives have bead blasted finishes either on the scales, on the blade or both. I used to really like the look of it but more and more I find myself hating it. Sure it looks great but the slightest scuff shows up like nothing else.

I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to make bead blasted finishes more resilient to wear. Scotchbrite treatment perhaps? Is there anyone who would be able to put a tumbled/stonewashed finish?

Thanks guys!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If it's a 'using' knife, I probably wouldn't worry about the scuffs. Otherwise, assuming a stainless steel blade, I'd just give it a sanding with 400 grit (maybe 600) sandpaper, which will leave a nice 'satin' finish. Over the long run, that'll be the easiest to maintain, I think.

With non-stainless steels, a higher polish will go a longer way in helping keep rust at bay. As the polish gets 'shinier', the surface pores in the steel get smaller & shallower, and water can't find as many places to hide & hold (& rust).

I'd think getting the blade tumbled or stonewashed would end up looking very similar to your current finish. You might not be happy with that, either, if you don't like the bead-blast finish.

 

[aznpos531]

I have a few bead blasted users that I'll try the sandpaper with. We'll see how it goes.
On the other hand, are you saying that if I were to get the blade tumbled or stonewashed, I wouldn't get a stonewashed look and only end up where I started? (i.e. scuffs showing up easily)
Thanks for the input, David

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I have a few bead blasted users that I'll try the sandpaper with. We'll see how it goes.
On the other hand, are you saying that if I were to get the blade tumbled or stonewashed, I wouldn't get a stonewashed look and only end up where I started? (i.e. scuffs showing up easily)
Thanks for the input, David

If I were looking into getting a blade stonewashed, I'd make sure to find out, beforehand, EXACTLY what the finished result would look like and how it wears, if possible. I haven't had it done before, but in reading on the topic, it seems like some services use the bead-blast/stonewash terminology interchangably, as if there's not much difference between the two. As with just about any type of service provider, there's a wide variation of methods and quality out there. Just make sure you know exactly what the result will be. That's what I was getting at.

With regard to scuffs, they're bound to happen, unless the blade is just for show. My recommendation for the satin finish, as left by the sandpaper, is based on ease of touching up the finish, down the road. Many recommend the Scotch-Brite for the same reason. The green Scotch-Brite pads aren't quite as aggressive as the wet/dry sandpaper, so if you go that route, you might have to work at it a bit longer. I'd recommend keeping the sanding strokes in one direction (no swirls, unless you're OK with that finish). I've used a rubber eraser ('MAGIC RUB') as a sanding 'block', to wrap the sandpaper around. It's soft and flexible, which makes it conform nicely to the contours of the blade, without applying too much pressure or creating flat spots. The finish turns out much more consistent, this way.