These pics are all of the same blade (Verne Blade), taken at the same time ... without work in between.

Any surface, no matter how reflective; will have a fine line grain structure to it. The Macro Quality of the pic will determine what you see. The lighting and angle will determine what you see. The reflected image will determine what you focus upon.



I polish my blades on a 22 inch leather covered wheel of my manufacturer. I charge the leather with buffing compound. I hand hold and direct the motion of the blade against the wheel. This method maintains the lines I’ve ground in. It provides a mirror polish visible under most situations. It reveals the Hamon in the blade grain in the correct light.

Note in the pics ... a couple are reflected images. The green grinder, the colorful box graphic logos, and even what appears to be my entire shop room (slightly out of focus). This is an image shot into the reflective, hand held blade.

The “Hamon” is a marked difference in the grain structure of the steel - altered by carefully controlled extremes in ultra high temperatures (1,850 - 2,000 degrees F to Harden .... and approx. 750-900 degrees F to Temper.

Enjoy. Ask questions. Comment. Thanks.

Gary.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2018 12:37PM by barnespneumatic.

I do see it in the pictures and I think I see it in the knife now that I know where to look.
Thank You

Gary L

Very nice Gary
I've been working with metal most of my adult life . When ever I have to get to the finishing I'm always hoping for painting or other coating . The polished end product is a complete extra job all in itself. Besides not being good at it , it's a dirty dusty part of the job . When I was at your shop I envisioned you setting at your homemade wheels ( setting on the floor ) and all the hours bent over the buffer polishing wheels . The crazy part is you as a knife/ gun smith knowing what you need to complete your projects and the having to MAKE your own equipment because you can't purchase it exactly like you want it to be .
It really shows in the end product.

Ps: nice hamon too

Thanks
Kurt

Thanks Kurt,

Glad I’m in a Western Culture that doesn’t work on the ground or floor. Don’t know how the Eastern Craftsmen do it. Even the old men. I could get down there ... but I’d need a chain houstbor tractor bucket to get back up. Then half a day to relax the twisted knot of legs without breaking them too badly. Ha.

Being on a tolerable position is key. I try to build my machinery such. Of course, 4 and a half decades ago (see - didn’t say it), when I planned out each step of my future, I had to sign off on stationary tool designs which I’m still using. And it’s all gone perfectly according to plan Kurt! Haha.

You know, I built this grinder/buffer about 1988. Then, I priced professional quality contact wheels of this size at $4,500 each. I needed 2. And so I designed and build the machine I’ve used since. Works great.

Thanks for commenting. I’m working.

Gary