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The best way to get a polish finish on your custome knife......

i just purchased a bench grinder and got a polish wheel. I had some questions on how the best way was to use it. when i apply the compound to the wheel, how much should i use and when do i know when to add more? when i apply it to the wood it made the wood darker, is this normal, or am i doing something wrong? do you have any tips about polishing that i should know?

any of your thoughts about this subject would be apprreciated!

thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Broughton, Jr. on August 4, 2010 at 16:04

Check out Jay Fisher Knives. Look at his process of knife making and he goes to 1400 grit polishing wheels.
Reading his site info on knife making can cut some corners for you-he has the process down.

Permalink Reply by Eugene Coates Smith Jr on August 5, 2010 at 7:37

For me the most dangerous tool in a bladesmith's shop is the buffer..I have a good friend here that makes knives and he has several punctures all over him from blades getting away from him while polishing on his buffer..personally I try and stay away from buffers. U can get small buffing wheels that fit a hand held drill that u can control a lot easier and that's what I use..buffers are dangerous at best...

Gene

Permalink Reply by WESLEY on August 18, 2010 at 2:14

Wesley from South Africa. i have dedicated buffing wheels for wood and steel. One wheel is used only for light coloured woods and i try not to touch any steel parts too much with this wheel as the steel blackens the wheel which in turn is transfered to the wood, i also mask the bolsters with tape to prevent too much contamination (between blades i clean the wheel with a stiff wire brush to remove the old buffing compound from the previous knife). Another wheel is used only on steel and dark woods where you don"t mind if during the buffing process the wood is made darker. My third wheel is generally used for brass and ruf polishing. My last and final special buffing wheel is reserved for the final mirror polish, on which i use a buffing compound i made myself comprising of fish oil, canuba wax and Diamond Dust mixed approx 2/3, 1/3 and 1/3 respectively. All the buffing wheels i use are NOT stitched and very soft.
Prior to buffing i grind down to a A6 belt then i use what we call a "wax belt" which i make myself.
This belt is made using a soft backing material as used on 400, 600 grit belts etc but WITHOUT the abrasive coating, this is then dressed with buffing compound which is then melted into the backing until there is a smooth coating covering the belt and you cannot see any of the backing material. The method for applying the buffing compound to the backing is simple. Put the backing belt on your belt grinder, start, push the buffing compound on the belt as if grinding a blade until well covered, take a piece of steel flat bar and push on contact wheel. You will see the buffing compound melt as the heat builds up and move the flat bar left to right to ensure a smooth covering, repeat until the belt is fully covered and smooth. Now start polishing your blade as if you were grinding (cutting edge up). the belt will have to be recharged periodically during this polishing process. experiment and you will get it right.
I hope this helps you achieve the mirror polish you require