Finishing grit when sanding blades

[Wagnum]

I just thinned and refinished my Moritaka after a year or two of procrastination. I stopped at 180 grit but that was mainly because my shoulder started to hurt. It looks fine but is a little wonky (the finish and the left side bevel) as I wasn't planning on stopping at 180 but depending on how the patina goes I might just leave it. Is there a benefit to a low grit finish or should I be taking it to a higher grit? Any advice or info on the benefits and downfalls of different grit finishes is appreciated

Some photos

 

[tostadas]

I finish at 800 for sandpaper. The higher you go, the less "drag" you experience when cutting stuff. But also as you go higher, you increase stiction. I find 800 to be the perfect balance if I want a brushed style finish.

 

[M1k3]

I finish in the 400-800 grit range. I like to take it a step higher than I'm going to finish though. So say 120 -> 240 -> 320 -> 400 -> 600 -> 400 (or 800 -> 1k -> 800).

 

[ethompson]

I too think the 600ish grit range is the sweet spot for a hand sanded finish. Also agree on taking the finish past the intended grit then coming back to make light one directional passes with the finish grit. I find I get a much more even and better looking finish that way.

 

[Wagnum]

I too think the 600ish grit range is the sweet spot for a hand sanded finish. Also agree on taking the finish past the intended grit then coming back to make light one directional passes with the finish grit. I find I get a much more even and better looking finish that way.

I finish in the 400-800 grit range. I like to take it a step higher than I'm going to finish though. So say 120 -> 240 -> 320 -> 400 -> 600 -> 400 (or 800 -> 1k -> 800).

I'm re starting the finishing now. Thanks for the advice. Probably going up to 600 and will definitely go up to 800 then back

 

[M1k3]

Looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[captaincaed]

You can also go a hair coarse (220-400) then Scotch Brite. Helps decrease both drag and stiction if it's done right.

Also insert obligatory "watch Nick Wheeler" comment here

 

[Wagnum]

You can also go a hair coarse (220-400) then Scotch Brite. Helps decrease both drag and stiction if it's done right.

Also insert obligatory "watch Nick Wheeler" comment here

I like the sound of that I'll look it up. I've seen a couple of Nicks vids, definitely knows what he's talking about. What I'm worried about is the cladding being too reactive at a low grit finish but definitely going to try it out

 

[RDalman]

Yes with some kind of light buffing (like scotchbrite mentioned or autosol or such paste) a 4-600 finish should work well without causing braking. Maybe even 180 grit with the right buffing might give some food release pros. But maybe difficult to be happy with aesthetically.

 

[Wagnum]

Yes with some kind of light buffing (like scotchbrite mentioned or autosol or such paste) a 4-600 finish should work well without causing braking. Maybe even 180 grit with the right buffing might give some food release pros. But maybe difficult to be happy with aesthetically.

I'm not super worried about it looking super refined I more concerned with being able to re-finish easy. For that reason I went to 220 and then Scotch Brite. I'm assuming the Scotch Brite sold for kitchens is not what y'all mean but it's what I had (a green one and light blue one that says "non-scratch") so I used it. It seemed to smooth things out a bit. I did rub some natural stone slurry to smooth the transition between the finish on the bevel and the rest of the knife. I'll see how I feel one it starts to get some patina

 

[RDalman]

I'm not super worried about it looking super refined I more concerned with being able to re-finish easy. For that reason I went to 220 and then Scotch Brite. I'm assuming the Scotch Brite sold for kitchens is not what y'all mean but it's what I had (a green one and light blue one that says "non-scratch") so I used it. It seemed to smooth things out a bit. I did rub some natural stone slurry to smooth the transition between the finish on the bevel and the rest of the knife. I'll see how I feel one it starts to get some patina

Nice that should work

 

[Wagnum]

Nice that should work

Thanks for the input, it's much appreciated

 

[captaincaed]

I mostly hear of belts, I suspect with a fine abrasive. Blue pads without abrasive can be useful to deburr after sharpening (just strop edge trailing)
https://www.grainger.com/category/a...elts?brandName=SCOTCH-BRITE&filters=brandName