Removing finish

[matt0]

I'm not sure if I should have posted this in the Machining section because it pertains to a knife.

I really like the look of the Tom Krein MidTech Dogfish. After I found out CRKT made an uber-cheap version of it, I HAD to have it. I stopped by BassPro Shop and picked one up today. After playin around with it for a bit, I started to think it might look better without the finish and polished up a little bit. I dont know much about finishes or anodization but, is there a simple way to remove the finish from this knife? (maybe a maglite too? I think a non-anodized maglite might look neat)

I'm hoping for some "Miracle Chemical" that will strip it off. However, I doubt it will be that simple.

 

[Hondo]

matt0, I think you are right, it will not be that simple. The "finish" on the pictured knife appears to be a common bead blasted finish. If your CRKT is the same, which I suspect, you can't "remove" it, it is a texture in the steel. You can polish it, by sanding down through progressively finer grades, I go down to 2000 grit, which you can by at auto parts stores for sanding paint (don't skip ANY grades on the way down from the one you chose to start from). After that, a polish can be achieved with a buffing wheel or polishing compound. It is a lot of work, and difficult to get into small spaces.

The Mag, on the other hand, is anodized aluminum. That can be disolved with a lye solution. Drain opener crystals such as Rooto is what I have used for this. Just a bit disolved in a small capfull of water will go a long way. It takes about two minutes before anything happens, then the anodizing just disolves. I have applied it to smaller parts using a Q-tip. Be very, Very, VERY carefull with this stuff. The fumes are toxic, and it will bubble and spritz droplets on your hands if you don't wear gloves. Use only in a well ventilated environment, and rinse everything well that it gets on.

 

[matt0]

yeah, i have found that the finish is actually part of the steel. when i read the description at crkt's website, i wasnt sure what bead-blasted meant.

slowly but surely, its working though. i'm using Mothers Mag/Aluminum Wheel Polish. its like $3 at walmart and works wonders on lots of different metals. i dont have a buffing wheel so im having to apply it with a towel and rub and rub and rub and... well you get the picture. i will post pictures once im done. im not sure how i will get in the small spaces. i have some really thin rags that should be able to fit through the cracks but i have a feeling that will take FOREVER.

 

[jzmtl]

Ouch, I don't want to know how long that's gona take.

For what it's worth I did the same thing to my kershaw's blade. I used 1500 grit sand paper to remove most of the finish, then use dremel polishing wheel and green polishing compound to get a mirror finish. It took me two hours, and it's just the blade. So I hope you are a patient man.

 

[matt0]

Well, i got it mostly finished. its not as mirror like as i wanted but it looks pretty damn good for being done by hand. the two smaller holes and the three "gills" of the fish havent even been touuched but i managed to get in the two big holes and the sideways "7"-ish cutout. all in all it took me about 2 hours but i was doing it while watching tv so it really didnt seem like that long... the CRKT and DOGFISH engravings are still visible. however, the pics make the logos look darker than they really are.

anybody know of any good metal polishes that are available locally at stores like home depot or lowes? im looking for something a little more abrasive for another idea of mine

click pics for larger, high-res version

 

[cutlerylover]

Pics look great! My favoite metal polish is Flitz brand, but mother brand is also very good and used widely for metal car parts...