One more claying question.

[Rick_Tatum]

I'm curious how far you guys typically sand a blade prior to applying clay. In my previous blades that I've heat treated, I have rough polished down to 220 grit , then done my heat treat. Is that degree of polish acceptable for a clayed up blade? Higher polish? Less?

[Mike Lambiase]

I think the finset you want to go is 120 grit.

 

Most guys draw file, and apply clay right over that.

 

The lower the grit the better your clay will stick.

 

Mike Lambiase

[Rick_Tatum]

I think the finset you want to go is 120 grit.

 

Most guys draw file, and apply clay right over that.

 

The lower the grit the better your clay will stick.

 

Mike Lambiase

 

 

Thanks. That makes sense.

[tell]

Yah mate i take it to the last file stage so the clay stick's or it will just drop off clay up let the clay dry for about 1 hr or a bit more depending on the thickness then introduce it slowly to the heat so the clay works with the expansion of the blade under heat then it brings both up to temp together (no cracking clay or falling off ) i found this works best for me no matter what steel i use

 

hope this helps tell

 

 

 

hope you can see the file marks ok i then after Quench

use a double sided oil stone ( never been in oil just water ) use the finer side

to hone down the blade and move on up to 300 800 1200 water stones

to the wet and dry600 - 1500 - 2000

 

 

you should end up with somthing like the tanto above

Edited April 12, 2008 by tell

[RedNeckLeftie]

IMHO, I've found it makes a difference how the surface is worked: Assuming satanite for "clay," I can go to no more than #120 US when using EDM sticks, or up to #240 JIS when using waterstones. My fine Nicholson file is way too smooth even with draw-filing--my Craftsman Bastard Cut file leaves a better surface.

 

Thanks,

Brian K.

[Rick_Tatum]

Tell, considering that I am limited to hand tools, the thought of polishing hardened steel that starts off that rough gives me a headache .

 

That said, I rough polished/ground my blade to 100 grit and applied a mixture of fireclay, charcoal, and a top secret ninja ingredient. Let it dry up about an hour and went over it with a propane torch, then into the fire. I quenched in 135 degree veg oil. The clay and blade survived the fire and quench, and I'm just now getting to the 220 grit stage of polishing. I'm beginning see what appears to be a hamon....we shall see as polishing progresses. Hopefully I have a true hamon and I'll try to get some pictures up this evening if all goes well.

[tell]

I know the feeling lol, but i dont mind the polishing sound's like you got it licked anway

hope the Hamon turns out the way you expect mate looking forward to some pic's

 

cheers tell

[DFogg]

I apply clay after filing, but I make sure the lines all run the lenght of the blade and not crosswise to it. Also, it is helpful to make a smooth file finish, no really deep marks. You set up stress risers when you leave deep marks.

[Rick_Tatum]

I'm at the 320 grit stage right now, had to stop because of hockey playoffs . Anyhow, there is definitely a hamon, though at this stage I doubt I can get a good photo of it. Can I expect it to become more distinct as the polish progresses?

[jake cleland]

I'm at the 320 grit stage right now, had to stop because of hockey playoffs . Anyhow, there is definitely a hamon, though at this stage I doubt I can get a good photo of it. Can I expect it to become more distinct as the polish progresses?

 

320 is about the most distinct the hamon looks to me from paper polish alone, until you get to the final grit, and get all your scratches going absolutely parallel. at 320 or 400 i generally like to de-grease the blade and give it an etch with lemon juice, to see whats going on with it, to get an idea of how much activity there is to get brought out in the polish.

[Rick_Tatum]

320 is about the most distinct the hamon looks to me from paper polish alone, until you get to the final grit, and get all your scratches going absolutely parallel. at 320 or 400 i generally like to de-grease the blade and give it an etch with lemon juice, to see whats going on with it, to get an idea of how much activity there is to get brought out in the polish.

 

 

Thanks. Back to polishing today, and I'll hit it with lemon juice.

[Rick_Tatum]

Here it is. Sorry for the lousy pic. I'll try for a better image this evening.

[Mike Sheffield]

Hey that's looking really nice.