shiney knife

[mazeman]

I'm a newbee when it comes to caring for knives but I am getting the hang of keeping it sharp; however, I'm sorry to say that my wonderful Mora is looking somewhat disreputable in the shiney stakes (too much bark stripping, firesteeling etc). Any advice on getting it a pristeen shine?

 

[copper_head]

you want wire wool mate, polish with a 'fine' type then buff with a cloth and toothpaste (it acts as an abrasive), voila!

 

[Fin]

I'm a newbee when it comes to caring for knives but I am getting the hang of keeping it sharp; however, I'm to say that my wonderful Mora is looking somewhat disreputable in the shiney stakes (too much bark stripping, firesteeling etc). Any advice on getting it a pristeen shine?

You could go the other way and acid etch it (soak some kitchen towel in malt vinegar and wrap it round the blade overnight with clingfilm). This imparts a lovely patina to the blade and makes you much less reluctant to use it. I used to be paranoid about keeping my blades shiny until I realised that I was becoming reluctant to use them - post polish!

The patina also aids the sharpening process as the edge will end up with a mirror finish in contrast to the rest of the blade.

 

[chem_doc]

Any chance someone out there has before and after pictures of the patina?

 

[Wayland]

Only got after shots.

For before shots imagine then shiny....

 

[sam_acw]

Beautiful kit Wayland. I've got a patina'd Mora and a "fresh" one but I recently decided I prefered the shiny look. Simply polish the whole blade with some very fine abrasive - I used some well worn wet'n'dry paper that started life as 600 grit.

 

[British Red]

Mazeman,

if you want it shiny, work through the grades of paper (from 600 to 2,500) and then rub with pink / green buffing compound (use a buffing wheel on a dremmel or drill for speed). I'm with the others who say "lifes too short". I have a nice knife or two and do tend to give the blade a polish up with buffing compound when I've finished stropping. I don't try to work out every sharpening scratch though - I would jest get bored. Think of them as honourabe war wounds!

Red

 

[mazeman]

Thanks, guys, that's a useful bunch of information. As for the 'life's too short' possie - I agree, but I like to have choice in my life: just 'cause I know how to shine doesn't mean I have too all the time!

 

[Dave Budd]

if you want a shiny knife, don't use it!

 

[jojo]

if you want a shiny knife, don't use it!

Couldn't agree more.

 

[dwardo]

Dont get me wrong, knives should always be kept straight, clean and sharp,,,, especially sharp for safety and for helping your cuts heal quicker currently nursing the first silly mistake in ages

Its sometimes nice to look at the knocks and dings and think "i remeber that one up north or that one in the peaks lol". If your just after giving it a bit of a dressing after a hard time out i just use very thin oil with a bit of fine wire wool Also if you ever get some water stones then the slurry from the nagura stone is great. Which also reminds me to order one after leaving it on an island on Loch awe