Thread: Deep Scratches / microchips

Recently someone posted regarding deep scratches on the bevel with a photo showing the microchip at the very end of each deep scratch. The message was that there is a thin spot on the edge at the very end of the deep scratch which eventually causes a microchip. The more scratches, the more microchips will occur.

I have recently purchased a Robert Williams Damascus w/Giraffe scales and today I got it out of the box for a close examination. I found 5 or 6 deep scratches on each side of the blade and a microchip at the end of every scratch.

I took this blade back to the 4k, and then the 8k to get rid of all the scratches. Then polished with 12k, Nakayama and Escher. Problem solved. The scratches were quite visible with a 60X loupe.

So, when you find a microchip, look for telltale signs of deep scratches on the bevel. The scratches are probably the culprit.

And thank you to the member who originally informed us about the "deep scratch" problem.