Thread: Getting past 2000 grit

I am having a bear of a time getting the final 2000 grit scratch lines off a blade I am working on. What do you guys recommend to tackle this? I have tried red rouge on a dremel felt wheel and chrome ox on a dremel wheel as well. They just seem to make weird smudges on the blade so I have to go back to the 2000 grit. Any ideas?

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...mentation.html

That process will get rid of your 2k grit scratches post haste and leave you with a mirror finish.

I'm in the same boat as you are. I can read the newspaper in the reflection...but it's not a true mirror finish either! AARRGH!!!

I didn't know what the first reply was going to be but I was going to say I've pretty much resigned myself to a vibratory tumbler.

I "sourced" my parts today at walmart and am pretty sure I can make custom sized for one or two blades for exactly $22.37+tax... plus some fabric, balsawood, glue, and rope I have laying around the house.

Otherwise you're looking at $45-50 minimum, before buying media/medium. (Is it plural or singular? ONE type of media but several thousand individual pieces of media. )

I'm going to try rice and rubbing compound first. (Two more things I have laying around the house.)

I actually tumble brass in my tumbler. I use micromesh, the tumbler takes to long for me. Depending on what I am after I may go all the way to 12000 grit then 0.5 chrome oxide on a buffing wheel, white rogue and a bit of mass to finish it off.

I have micromesh but the things arent cutting anymore. I think the sheets must be worn out finally. I tried to sand with the 6000 grit after 2000 grit paper and it did nothing. I will go grab some more and try those again. If that doesn't 'cut' it, then i will look at the tumbler option.

Originally Posted by Aquanin

I am having a bear of a time getting the final 2000 grit scratch lines off a blade I am working on. What do you guys recommend to tackle this? I have tried red rouge on a dremel felt wheel and chrome ox on a dremel wheel as well. They just seem to make weird smudges on the blade so I have to go back to the 2000 grit. Any ideas?

I do pretty much the same thing, but I wash off the "weird smudges" with a papertowel and dish soap. After the red rouge the finish is kind of cloudy. Then it's maas an a felt wheel. Wash it again with soap. Then maas on a rag. Then wash it again. At that point it's the real mirror finish. Admire it for a minute, then oil it up.

I use a Grizzly buffer like the one pictured below. Instead of the sanding drums, I use 8" sewn muslin buffing wheels and various abrasive compounds, usually green chrome. A buffer is a great time saver but they are quite dangerous. If the wheel catches an edge, it can rip the blade from your hands and fling it back at you.

The Grizzly 1725 rpm is a great machine, but you could make your own or convert a bench grinder. The buffing wheels and rouge can be purchased from most knife supply houses.

Thanks for all the suggestions again. I figured it out though!!! Turtle Wax Premium Rubbing Compound. Wow this stuff is awesome. Perfect Mirror after 2000 grit.