Before Quench

[gwriffer]

I was wondering to what grit to sand my blade before quenching.
I know you have to sand the scale off after quenching and sometimes it's pretty tough to get off so what grit should I take it down to before quenching?

Thanks
GW

[Bob Warner]

I take mine to 400. A lot of others go to 220.

This is for forged knives. If you have stainless and are heat treating in an oxygen free environment, you can take it all the way to polish. It will come back looking like it has dust on it.

[gwriffer]

Thanks Bob,

I am going to do an edge quench this time. This is my second knife and I am already tired of sanding, more than I have to anyway.

thanks again,
GW

[cactusforge]

A soak in vinegar will cut down on the sanding. Gib

[Geno]

Vinegar has many untold uses!
I also etch with it quite often.
400 grit.