What grit to start on?

Hi,

This is my first restore, and I'm working on a Kropp 5/8. I've removed it from the broken scales using a rotorary drill as was shown in Brad Maggards (Undream) YouTube videos - I even managed to save the scales - shame one of them is cracked :-/ and now I need to hand polish the blade while waiting for new scales to arrive.

Attachment 88367

The blade isn't actually too bad, there is some rust on the tang, and no pitting on the actual blade, the blade just seems to have some surface stains. The blade says Agent Holoran Lincoln, and if possible I want to keep the writing on it, its only lightly written on, not deep like the Kropp writing.

Can anyone recommend what grit wet and dry I should start with? I was thinking of going straght to 1500 on the blade and using 320 working up to 1500 on the tang. Then using metal polish all over.

Is there anything I need to watch out for when working near the blade writing so I don't remove it?

Finally, whats the best way for getting the dirt out of the Kropp writing on the tang? Will is just come out as I'm working?

Thanks!

kD

First, make a blade holding jig. Hand sanding is kind of dangerous without one. I got cut yet again a few days ago.

Now, as far as the grit question, if you start high you cam always go lower. It doesn't hold true the other way round.

The writing will most likely get darker from accumulated gunk in the letters while the surrounding metal gets shiny. However, you can use a tooth brush with scrubbing bubbles to get the gunk out or you can pick it out with a needle or similar. Sand deep enough and the gunk is removed, but unfortunately so are the letters.