Had a friend of mine want me to put some 416 SS handles on some Damascus blanks for him to engrave. Turned out to be a nightmare project!! But I am almost there. I tried a 220 grit hand rub, but it looked cloudy. Tried a 320 grit belt finish, followed up by a ScotchBrite Fine or Ex Fine belt finish, not what I was looking for. Then I hand sanded to 220 grit, then buffed with Jackson 925, Fast and Medium Cutting Compounds, and a white rouge of some sorts, all on Sisal wheels. It gives a nice shiny satin finish that reflects nicely, but still hides some scratches from handling. What grit do you guys go to on stuff that will be engraved??? The 416 is soft, so it scratches more easily than hardened blades.
Trying some different finishes:
220 hand rub on the top, ScotchBrite Fine grit (around 300-400) on the bottom from a belt sander:
Hand sanded to 220 grit to get all of the previous deeper scratches out, then hit the lathe! Sisal buffing wheels with Jackson 925, and Fast and Medium Cutting compounds, followed by a white rough:
Trying some different finishes:
220 hand rub on the top, ScotchBrite Fine grit (around 300-400) on the bottom from a belt sander:
Hand sanded to 220 grit to get all of the previous deeper scratches out, then hit the lathe! Sisal buffing wheels with Jackson 925, and Fast and Medium Cutting compounds, followed by a white rough: