Fine grained orange peel texture on 5160

[Mark Williams]

Hey Guys
Just cleaned up my cutting knife after HT and you can see a very fine texture kinda like orange peel in the grain. I usually leave the surface pretty rough and just may have never noticed before. Is this normal for 5160. Who know's what's really in this stuff. I got it NEW so It must be perfect steel right. Could be little chunks of old AMC Gremlins all gound up in there

Oh, I was using a piece of leather on my platen to do a final convex grind . Could the soft backing be leaving the carbides alone and polishing away the softer matrix.

Just Curious,
Muchos Garcias

 

[TJ Smith]

Yeah I get that texture when I buff to much or use a old belt. Takes the soft material and leaves the hard.
Try using a new 400 grit belt and see if that don't help.
Take Care
TJ

 

[Mark Williams]

Give that man a cigar. I'll bet you are right TJ. I was using a worn belt. Dho!