Zirconium

[Alpha Knife Supply]

Everything Bob wrote is exactly correct. We use 60 grit ceramic belts to remove the oxide.

Chuck

 

[Daniel Fairly Knives]

As a note you can remove the oxide with a good blasting session, I use garnet at about 90 psi and it works pretty quickly.

Yes one shot finishing is best no question... also you probably need a better finish on Zirc than anything I know of to really make it look good at a high finish. It does look incredible and way worth the effort. I personally like to orange peel or blast some pieces before finishing.

 

[MasterMason357]

Definitely appreciate all the info guys! I attempted the project but absolutely RUINED it unfortunately.... Zirc is waaaay to soft in its natural state and I ended up sanding an edge down to far. A classic “live and learn” situation lol

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I don't understand why anyone would bother with a material like this. I guess people just want "exotic" stuff.
If I had to have a black part, I would use steel and have it nitride coated.

 

[kuraki]

I don't know how to explain it Bill. The luster and color of polished heat colored Zi hits me the same way a fine hot blued steel part does. There's a quality of luster and color that just isn't there with other materials and surface treatments.

 

[MasterMason357]

I don't know how to explain it Bill. The luster and color of polished heat colored Zi hits me the same way a fine hot blued steel part does. There's a quality of luster and color that just isn't there with other materials and surface treatments.

Hear Hear!