Achieving a mirror finish on a knife edge is a meticulous but rewarding process. Begin by setting up a clean, well-lit workspace. Start with thoroughly cleaning the knife edge to remove any debris, as a clean surface is essential for consistent polishing. Next, use coarse-grit sandpaper or a sharpening stone (around 400 grit) to grind the edge, maintaining an even angle. Gradually work your way through progressively finer grits to remove each layer of scratches, ensuring a smooth surface for polishing.
Apply a small amount of polishing compound to a cloth or felt wheel on your buffing tool and polish in consistent strokes. Buff gently, using light pressure to avoid overheating, and continue until the edge shines. Periodically inspect your work under good lighting, reapplying finer grit sandpaper if necessary to eliminate any remaining scratches.
Once you’re happy with the smoothness, perform a final polish with a clean cloth or felt wheel for that high-gloss finish. To maintain your hard work, apply a light coat of oil to protect against oxidation, and store the knife in a dry place. With patience, your knife will have a stunning mirror-like edge that reflects the sky.
source: https://eknives.com/blog/polishing-perfection-a-stepbystep-guide-to-mirrorfinish-knife-edges/
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