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Post by ndirico on Apr 21, 2009 13:49:07 GMT
Hi all-curious as to how you get a satin finish on a blade? I looking for results similar to how the dynasty forge musha katanas look. I've found this tutorial: www.engnath.com/public/handrub.htmDo a search for "super satin finish"-its near the end of the page. Has anyone tried this? TIA
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2009 15:02:41 GMT
I didn't read it but it looks correct, according to the diagrams. Basically you want to dull the mirror polish. I would go at it with 600 grit sandpaper, it should remove the mirror polish after too long.
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Post by ndirico on Apr 21, 2009 15:12:06 GMT
I started at 400 grit and am currently at 600; its pretty mirror like right now actually. I'm wondering if that wedge shaped sanding block in the diagram has any affect. I'll give it a shot.
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Post by ndirico on May 4, 2009 13:49:22 GMT
SOOO, I've been experimenting different techniques on how to get a 'satin' finish on the blade. It turns out that if I use a polishing oil (just mineral oil) it tends to remove the scratches from the previous grit much easier but doesn't polish to mirror finish. If I use 600 grit sand paper (dry) and really work I can get a close to mirror finish. But, if I use oil, it dulls the reflection dramatically. I've tried this from 600 grit to 1000 grit and the oil is giving me the results I'm looking for. Though, I'm not sure how it will look when I approach 2000 grit.
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Post by Reisz on May 4, 2009 20:18:09 GMT
I have only just recently brought a couple of Musashi TH blades to a satin finish and I used only 320 400 and 600 grit sand paper sheets,
I always use a sanding block it's just so much easier to keep the shinogi-ji crisp and can bring the edge to a pretty fine level of sharpness, the method I have been using is to do a lengthwise pass (Hamachi to kissaki) until it is completely covered, swap over to the 400 and do another pass but this time cross wise (shinogi-ji to ha) back and forth until the lengthwise scratches are no longer visible, swap over to the 600 grit wet and go lengthwise again all in one direction until you reach the desired finish then if the other side is done do a cuick rinse of all the grey water and do a pass with some Metal glo or other polishing/cleaning paste, It will usually give you a very nice satin finish that will end up nice and clean, I have not tried this on any Differentially Hardened blades so I can not comment on how it would affect the Hamon but for through hardened beaters I think it looks great.
I will do my best to post an Image of one of the blades I have finished like thsi when I get home.
Be very careful on those lengthwise passes though, Cut Resistant gloves if you can get a pair, or whip up a safe sanding block, the first time I ever tried a polishing job on a katana was a Nameless pattern welded sword I got in a trade quite some time ago, great Geometry very generic fittings, you know the sort, I managed to get it to a very nice finish and honed the edge to almost scary sharpness but in my first time folly I was using a glass drink coaster, (nice and thick and flat) as an Impromptue sanding block, Well as I was doing the lengthwise last pass my little finger slipped off of the block and I tried to polish the edge of my blade with the inside of my finger...... 3 stitches and a few months of numbness later it was back to normal but man did that ever suck. so be careful!
Seriously though invest in some cut resistant gloves I f you plan on doing much refinishing.
Hope that helps man!
-Reisz
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Post by ndirico on May 5, 2009 11:42:42 GMT
reisz-Thanks for the info! I've done a hybrid polish on a DH tanto in the past using the method you described. The only problem I have is keeping my passes straight when polishing lengthwise and at 600 grit, the scratches are still pretty prominent. However, my sanding block is kind of on the small side (made it for the tanto polish initially) so perhaps a wider block would help.
Yeah, gloves...I've got to find some. I've been cut so many times I keep a tube of super glue next to me now when working to seal up any cuts.
Thanks for the advice!
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