scotch brite pads for a satin finish - advice needed

[Choppin]

So I’m playing with different abrasives to achieve a satin finish on my knives (~600 grit, Shigefusa-like). Mostly carbon and san mai.

I’m using mainly 220-400-600 sandpaper (Matador) and also playing with those 3M auto sponge-backed pads. Someone mentioned Scotch Brite pads and I started looking for them, but I have no idea what’s the approximate grit for each color.

Could anyone enlighten me? I’m mostly looking for something around 600 grit to finish, but anything in the 220-800 range could be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[McMan]

Parentheses are 3m-listed grits. Grits after the parentheses are anecdotal.

7445 - White pad, called Light Duty Cleansing - (1000) 1200-1500 grit
7448 - Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800) 800 grit.
6448 - Green (?), called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600) 600 grit
7447 - Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400) 320 grit
6444 - Brown pad, called Extra Duty Hand - (280-320) 240 grit
7446 - Dark Grey pad, called Blending Pad (180-220) 150 grit
7440 - Tan pad, called Heavy Duty Hand Pad - (120-150) 60(?)

http://oldgobbler.com/Forum/index.php?topic=91734.0

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

We use various Scotch-Brite at work for both fine sanding and polishing. Light Grey and White are our finest. I'd start with white.

Keep in mind, those are really approximates. They are AlO2 and shed pretty readily so also keep that in and as you start out. The higher grits aren't as bad but still shed.

 

[Choppin]

@McMan @HumbleHomeCook thanks! those grits are really helpful

@HumbleHomeCook do you think these pads give a better finish compared to sandpaper?

 

[HumbleHomeCook]

@McMan @HumbleHomeCook thanks! those grits are really helpful

@HumbleHomeCook do you think these pads give a better finish compared to sandpaper?

Our application is not on steel. I can't get into it but the metals we're working with are softer.

I've never personally worked directly on that task but we use the Scotch-Brite more for "bulk" or courser maybe sanding and blending and then switch to high grit paper.

So, if all holds somewhat equal, I'd say no.

 

[jjlotti]

You can really lean into the white pads as a finisher on wood or metal....be careful the green will absolutely dig into common knife steel.... When not sure about an abrasive best practice is too start conservative if you think you want 600 grit Finnish.... Start with 8 maybe and see what that's doing first.... Better to waste a piece of paper etc.than going backwards in your project....

 

[Blank Blades.]

We use various Scotch-Brite at work for both fine sanding and polishing. Light Grey and White are our finest. I'd start with white.

Keep in mind, those are really approximates. They are AlO2 and shed pretty readily so also keep that in and as you start out. The higher grits aren't as bad but still shed.

I like the finish the grey gives

Even the fine marroon ones give a nice finish.

ive seen maroon also listed as coarser than the ones ive gotten which state "fine" on the actual pad. so i believe 3m might have different grits in the same color. But sold for different purposes.

Something to keep im mind.