Restore Satin Finish

[Iron Tree]

How do you restore a satin finish to a knife with a guard? I can't seem to get a uniform pattern/scratches where the blade intersects with the guard. I want the S/S guard to retain it's mirror finish and the blade to have a uniform satin finish. Any tips?

Thanks,
Mike Curry

[simmonsk]

Hi,
You might try the opposite of what I do. Instead of supergluing a razorblade or piece of metal banding material to the blade to protect it during guard repair, try doing that to the guard.
Who knows, it should work.
Happy Turkey Day...Ken

[Terry Primos]

I protect the guard with masking tape or electrical tape. Secure the knife well so that you can use both hands and make nice straight passes. Don't try to hold the knife with one hand and rub with the other.

The backing I use depends on how bad the face of the ricasso is and how much pressure I'm going to have to use. Sometimes it will be a planer blade with a nice sharp bevel, sometimes a piece of Micarta that I've ground a sharp chisel-ground bevel on, and sometimes just a wooden tounge depressor that with a chisel-ground edge on it. The main thing is to have a sharp edge so you can get right up in the tight spots.

Fold your sandpaper to make a sharp crease. Wrap the paper around the backing with the crease of the sandpaper right on the the sharp edge of your backing tool.

Carefully place the paper right into the joint where the guard and ricasso meet, then pull straight toward you. Don't rub back and forth.

When you are finished, remove the tape and spray a little WD-40 on the guard. WD-40 serves as a solvent and will dissolve the sticky residue left behind by the tape. Let it sit for a moment, then wipe it with a soft piece of cotton material such as a tee shirt or cotton sock.

[Iron Tree]

Aha! Thanks to both. This forum is fantastic.

--Mike Curry

[Jason Cutter]

I can vouch for Terry's technique - I use it all the time. Customers at knife shows dinging up the blade, someone wants the knife I've been using for several months ... In fact, I am quite physical when I do the "repair" - Provided the guard is well taped, I literally ram the abrasive wrapped around a straight hard edge, into the guard joint area. WATCH THE EDGE. For the very final finish I find the 3M Scotch brite pads the best (because it is soft) for getting into the nooks and crannies and giving the most even satin finish. But you need to get up to the 1200grit range first. Jason.