Best tools for Polishing?

[coy74]

I know that hand power is the best way to polish a blade. But are there any tools out there that can polish very stubborn blades without damaging the knife? Thanks

Russ

[TripleF]

Sandpaper is what I've used. Start out low grit; 220, 400, 600 then 1500.
Then polish with Flitz Metal Polish and a Cutco Polishing cloth....

That's what I do anyhow.

Here's one I did:
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 37&t=27079

[Elvis]

In a word, no. Any tool you use will either be too high speed and eat the metal away before you know it, or something that the metal will just bounce and "chatter" on leaving bumps and scratches. The only mechanized method I've seen that works is the big tumbling vat of ceramic stones used at the factory. Beyond that, the sandpaper on a marble slab (or similar) is the only working method we've been able to come up with for polishing blades (and we've had many discussions on it).

If something new has been found by anyone, please share.

[RandyFew]

I have Seen small tumbling machines that use walnut shells(I think) as the polishing medium. Would that work as a solution for knife polishing? What about the knife handles? It would be worth buying one if it slicks up a knife without doing damage.

[Elvis]

My only honest answer to that one is, I don't know. I'd recommend taking the blades out of the knife before trying it rather than subjecting the scales to the treatment too, but if you buy one and it works, please let us know. Tossing the blades in a machine sounds better than hours of hand polishing.

[jerryd6818]

A tumbler will remove all the knife's "character". Say good bye to defined edges and crisp impressions. Any areas on the knife that are softer than others (think wood grain) will abrade away faster than their harder neighbors. I don't think you would enjoy the results, even if you used walnut shells or some of the other "gentler" mediums.

Let me just give you a quick example. My buddy, bought a China Town (Harbor Freight) vibrating polishing tub for me after the second flood. His thinking was, I could remove rust from tools more quickly. I tried it on my router bits and found it didn't remove all the rust on the shanks but it did remove all the sharp edges that make a router bit do it's job.

[knifemaker3]

I believe Case use tumblers in the production of their knives.....but well before the assembly and sharpening stages. I remember watching a video at the Shepard of the Hills knife store in Lebanon, MO. on how Case knives were made and it showed them going through a tumbler on the video....so I really don't have first hand knowledge that they do in fact use them.

By far the best bet for refinishing a blade for most of us will be by hand like has already been stated. IF you know how to properly set up and use a buffer you CAN get the job accomplished without losing sharp edges.......but most people don't know how or have the proper set up for using a buffer. Do a search on gun refinishing. You should be able to find a lot of good info about refinishing firearms that will work equally well on blades while maintaining sharp edges. Ever seen a gunsmith reblue a barrel and seen the barrel stamp get washed out? Not if you have a competent gunsmith who knows how to properly buff a barrel. But, you will need expensive hard flannel buffs with the correct grits of compound which are usually brushed on and left to dry overnight, etc. etc. It's the same techniques used by custom knife makers who can create a mirror polish with crisp sharp lines on their knives. It takes the proper equipment, proper knowledge of using equipment, and lots of practice but can be done.

Good Luck!

[RandyFew]

There won't be a tumbler on my Christmas list.

[Elvis]

That big vat of small smooth stones at the Case factory does knock off the sharp edges left from the blades being stamped and provide a degree of polishing from the initial grinding. I guess that's all it's really intended to do. The final edge and polishing comes after the knife is fully assembled and halfted. I'm still doing my polishing by hand and don't expect anything to change.