Stonewash--to polish or not?

ExMachina

ExMachina

Joined
Nov 2, 2002
Messages
497
Have my first Sebenza on the way--a simple, plain Lg #21.

I would really like to polish the blade but am not sure how well S30V polishes up, and how easy it will be to "erase" the stone wash. I'd be doing it all by hand (no buffer wheel) with fine sand paper and polishing compound. I've some experience polishing softer steels, but I never tackled a knife blade.

Any guesses as to how many hours can I expect to spend doing this?

Thanks.
 
The stonewash is so awesome though. I have used this regular A LOT. I even use the spine and side of the blade by the thumb lug to pop beer bottle tops off. Can you tell I use this every day for things like stripping wire, cutting abrasive materials, food prep...?

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Just a thought before you do this:)
 
I can tell you that 5 minutes using some Mother's mag and aluminum polish on the stonewashed s30v (large Sebenza) will "brighten" it up noticeably, though it is still 100% stonewashed.
 
I think the stonewash is a nice finish, and it hides wear. If you want to polish it you might ask CRK to do it themselves, sure they have a reasonable charge for it, but hand polishing a razor sharp Sebenza isn't the best of ideas.
 
ExMachina said:
Have my first Sebenza on the way--a simple, plain Lg #21.

I would really like to polish the blade but am not sure how well S30V polishes up, and how easy it will be to "erase" the stone wash. I'd be doing it all by hand (no buffer wheel) with fine sand paper and polishing compound. I've some experience polishing softer steels, but I never tackled a knife blade.

Any guesses as to how many hours can I expect to spend doing this?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

It's a hollow ground blade so it will be very hard to do. You will need a semi hard piece of rubber for backing to the sandpaper that will conform to the contour of the blade. Keep in mind that to accomplish the best mirror finish or a super fine satin finish by hand, you need to change the angle of your strokes in between grits. Hollow ground blades are "normally" mirror polished by using sanding belts, cork belts and buffing wheels. The toughest part is going to be where the blade and the ricasso meet. Best of luck.

Regards

Shike
 
I would leave it be. Stonewashed is my favorite blade finish. I wish my Son of Dogfather was stonewashed.
 
stonewash hides wear. Unless its a safe queen, a polished edge will look terrible with use imo
 
I'd say go for it! I've done it. S30V will take a nice sheen (if done properly), and it shouldn't take you all that long either. All these 'discouraging' souls ;), probably haven't ever done it themselves - or - they used the wrong materials.

The character of the stonewash won't change - if done gently and properly by hand, but you'll bring up a nice sheen,; which is my guess for what you're trying to accomplish. I used Scotch-brite (wet), impregnated with red jewelers rouge... followed by Cape Cod polishing cloths also impregnated with rouge.

(one of my great regrets was selling this knife)

Good luck. -Rob

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pol.seb.blade.jpg
 
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powernoodle said:
I can tell you that 5 minutes using some Mother's mag and aluminum polish on the stonewashed s30v (large Sebenza) will "brighten" it up noticeably, though it is still 100% stonewashed.
Click to expand...

(must've missed this... but :thumbup: it's exactly so...
 
like most steels, s30v will take a nice polish or satin finish.

however, like the others said, starting with the stonewash and getting it to polished by sanding is going to be very slow going. keeping it even will also be difficult, and if it doesn't turn out even you will be very dissapointed and end up sending it out for cleaning up.

clearly in the minority, i don't particularly care for the stonewash finish. my personal favorite is a satin finish. polishing looks nice, until you use it, then every little scratch and blemish becomes readily visible.

you would be better off sending it to crk or krein for a refiinish.
 
thanks guys. :thumbup:

i don't dislike the stonewash, i just prefer the look of polished steel.

the satin finish option is an idea i hadn't considered but it might compliment the bead blasted titanium really nicely.

think i'll stew over it for a while...:cool:
 
RobME said:
I'd say go for it! I've done it. S30V will take a nice sheen (if done properly), and it shouldn't take you all that long either. All these 'discouraging' souls ;), probably haven't ever done it themselves - or - they used the wrong materials.

The character of the stonewash won't change - if done gently and properly by hand, but you'll bring up a nice sheen,; which is my guess for what you're trying to accomplish. I used Scotch-brite (wet), impregnated with red jewelers rouge... followed by Cape Cod polishing cloths also impregnated with rouge.

(one of my great regrets was selling this knife)

Good luck. -Rob

mysebfront.jpg


pol.seb.blade.jpg
Click to expand...

I think the "discouraging souls" were thinking that he was going to put a mirror finish on the blade, completely removing any stonewashed finish. Not just buff up the existing stonewashed finish. Atleast that is what I was thinking.

It is early Sunday morning and maybe I am just confused again???:confused:
 
RobME said:
I'd say go for it! I've done it. S30V will take a nice sheen (if done properly), and it shouldn't take you all that long either. All these 'discouraging' souls ;), probably haven't ever done it themselves - or - they used the wrong materials.
Click to expand...

Here we go:rolleyes:! Sir, I have done hundreds of knives. Here are some pics of my work.
scan0007-1.jpg

scan0006.jpg

scan0002.jpg
 
richstag said:
I think the "discouraging souls" were thinking that he was going to put a mirror finish on the blade, completely removing any stonewashed finish. Not just buff up the existing stonewashed finish. Atleast that is what I was thinking.
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Exactly!
 
yeah, my original idea was an all mirror finish. but the satin finish idea is growing on me and i have some experience bead blasting stainless. a also just realized that i have a Benchmade s30v stonewashed blade that i can practice on! :D
 
fwiw... I never questioned that some here have real skills, and aren't afraid to use them. And personally, I never claimed any great talent. My own blade was badly scuffed. All I did was remove them and shine the blade up a bit. It was all that I intended to do. I know there's a broad range of experience and talent on this board, but often I'll read (something like), 'leave it alone, it's perfect how it is, or... don't do anything, just send it in to CRK', etc. I was only trying to be encouraging to the OP. It's just a knife. I did put a wink (;)) next to the 'discouraging souls' part. Didn't mean to offend or challenge anyone. :) :cool:
 
RobME said:
fwiw... I never questioned that some here have real skills, and aren't afraid to use them. And personally, I never claimed any great talent. My own blade was badly scuffed. All I did was remove them and shine the blade up a bit. It was all that I intended to do. I know there's a broad range of experience and talent on this board, but often I'll read (something like), 'leave it alone, it's perfect how it is, or... don't do anything, just send it in to CRK', etc. I was only trying to be encouraging to the OP. It's just a knife. I did put a wink (;)) next to the 'discouraging souls' part. Didn't mean to offend or challenge anyone. :) :cool:
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no worries. you came across just as you intended (to me, anyways) and i thank you for it :thumbup:

even if you don't claim "great talent" your knife came out looking super.

i don't claim talent either. but i'm pretty patient and the challenges of hand polishing don't intimidate me. and as long as the mill files and dremels don't enter the picture, i'm confident that i can right any of the wrongs i make in metal.
 
RobME said:
often I'll read (something like), 'leave it alone, it's perfect how it is, or... don't do anything, just send it in to CRK', etc. I was only trying to be encouraging to the OP. It's just a knife. I did put a wink (;)) next to the 'discouraging souls' part. Didn't mean to offend or challenge anyone. :) :cool:
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I don't think anyone took your comments as a challenge:cool: I also think that people were just giving their thoughts and advice:) I don't think anyone was the least bit offended:D

Sometimes though it is good to show that you do know what you are talking about especially on a forum where anyone can voice their opinion and advice.:thumbup:
 
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