I just picked up some acrylic blanks to use for knife scales along with some micro mesh polishing pads. The micro mesh goes from 300 to 12000 grit. Is that all I need to put a good finish on acrylic knife handles? Or is there some sort of finishing polish that I need also?
Thanks.
Jeff
Re: Finishing Acrylic Knife Scales
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:05 pm
by americanedgetech
Work it the same as any other material but do not overwork one area, and create heat.
Acrylic will pull, and deform into micro-valleys when it is over worked.
I find that 1500 grit emory paper is as far as I have to go. From there I use Dupont #7 white "Polishing" compound followed by a micro fiber towel to polish it.
A neat trick... Use a benzomatic torch directly over 1500 grit finish, and when you get good with the torch, there is no need to polish.
Practice on scraps tho... it takes a SECOND to ruin it.
Re: Finishing Acrylic Knife Scales
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:52 pm
by Jeffinn
Thanks Ken, much appreciated!
Re: Finishing Acrylic Knife Scales
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:01 pm
by americanedgetech
No problem.
I've been molding acrylic windscreens on race boats/pleasure boats for decades. It's one of the easiest materials to finish, and I'm sure you'll agree after the first one!
