Thread: Grey steel

I'm not sure if this is where this post belongs but I have a question about the color of the blades. I have some razors that are mirror finish and a couple which seem to be grey in color and no matter what I do and how much I polish them they will not loose the grey look. Could they be damascas? There doesn't seem to be any pattern in the steel. I have never forged a blade as a knife maker. I only use stainless or O1 steel and they are both white. Any ideas?

What are you polishing them with, exactly?

Emery cloth

Hi Mack,

It sounds like your grey razors have a "belt" finish. Done by using a very fine powered sanding belt, the fine scratches give the metal that soft grey look. For instance Dovo uses that finish on their non-fancy, regular razors.

Jeff

Sounds like you have a brush or satin finish, the brush finish usually has tiny visible lines all in one dierction as if done with a brush, whilst the satin (or matte) finish is very even with no visible lines. I guess you would have to remove the finish by grinding/sanding and then work up to a mirror polish in the usual way.

Regards,
Neil.