I have a Benchmade 484-1 with S90v steel. I have read you cant get mirror polish on this steel, is this correct? If so what can be accomplished and what grits do you need? I'll probably use a KME sharpener with XF-1500 diamond stone but where do I go from there. I will probably have the stop and some of the CBN 4 micron. They say = 4,000 grit. Thanks for any advice
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S90v Polished edge?
- Thread starter WoodDA
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S90V will polish just as well as most any other steel but its wear resistance will make it slow going and need a good abrasive like diamond or CBN. I don't know what diamond plates come with the KME but I use a progression of DMT stones to 3 micron then finish with diamond compounds to 1 micron where the mirror polish starts to emerge.
You might be able to just add the 6, 3, and 1 micron DMT pastes for final polishing. Depends on how close the 1500 is to the DMT 1200. Did a little looking and noticed they have lapping films too but I don't think it would work too well on S90V.
You might be able to just add the 6, 3, and 1 micron DMT pastes for final polishing. Depends on how close the 1500 is to the DMT 1200. Did a little looking and noticed they have lapping films too but I don't think it would work too well on S90V.
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What's tolerable for you? If we're talking simple sharpening, then I'd say it takes about twice as long. Polishing is where it'll take a while.
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When steels get into the 9% Vanadium range not much besides Damond and CBN will do the job properly. I can use my Shapton Glass but the bevel needs to be in good shape and I need to have a bit of free time. A diamond plate works much much faster and produces a higher quality cutting edge in most cases, it's doable but I would prefer to use diamonds with high V steels.
It's no fun to polish S90V and in my experience decreases edge performance on high alloy steels. I prefer a Coarse DMT followed by a 1 micron diamond polish on balsa wood.
Time is the essence. Time spent is directly relates to the HRc level on any alloy steel.
Not impossible for S90V, follow the natural progression using w/d emery, then, polishing compound and as close a grit progression as possible. Not only the secondary, I mirror'ed the primary angle as well:
Not impossible for S90V, follow the natural progression using w/d emery, then, polishing compound and as close a grit progression as possible. Not only the secondary, I mirror'ed the primary angle as well: