Spyderco Forums

Any recommendations on what to use/do to remove blade scratches from H-1? I’ve tried Flitz which worked somewhat but not fully. Thanks!

Hey Accutronman, scratches, stains, chips and all the things we don’t like happening to our blades and scales just happen when we use our knives. There’s no way round it.

I use H-1 a fair bit and it does tend to scratch a bit easier than some other blade steels. That said I have scratches on every blade I use, irrespective of blade steel so I don’t know that any blade is scratch proof.

I think you’ll find it very hard if not impossible to remove even a scratch that is a few tenths of a thousandth of an inch deep with metal polish or a knife eraser and even if you did take the time and effort to remove a couple of scratches with a harsher abrasive it would end up a full time job just keeping scratches at bay.

I’d strongly recommend you just do what you’re doing and enjoy H-1 for the great steel it is. Before long all the scratches, dints, chips etc. blend to become your well used, not abused knife.

Don’t even bother. They’ll be back. Guaranteed.

Jazz wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:21 pm

Don’t even bother. They’ll be back. Guaranteed.

Yup. Comes with the H1 territory. Embrace them.

Embrace it and move on. H1 scratches from nearly any use, it's easier to just roll with it and be proud of the wear you give it.

Evil D wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:03 pm

Embrace it and move on. H1 scratches from nearly any use, it's easier to just roll with it and be proud of the wear you give it.

Yep.

Depending on how deep the scratches are, you could try some 600 or 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper or even a Scotchbrite pad. Start with very light pressure and increase pressure as needed. Be careful as this will likely remove the logo, etc., from the blade.

Any blade steel: scratches in use

H1: scratches when you look at it

I dig it personally. Gives it character.

h1 scratches if you look at it wrong. i actually like that about my salt knives. yellow a does and scratched steel means it was never meant to look pretty and always meant to be a user. i use my salt knives harder than the rest of my folding knives because they beg for it.

SUS 410 etc cladding is pretty easy to scratch too.

IMO, trying to remove scratches from H1 would be a fruitless endeavor. As others have already mentioned, H1 scratches very easily, much moreso than any other steel I’ve ever experienced. And any steel will scratch with enough use, but H1 usually scratches for me within the first few uses (and sometimes even the first!). Scratches from use add character, but if you want a steel that “ages gracefully” and remains new-looking, H1 is not it. The Salt knives are 100% users and will show it.

Jim

I support everyone who said here.
H-1 is very scratched. And polishing it is a waste of time.
H-1 will be scratched again. Special charisma. If only to polish and put in a box.

Thanks

I can just join the choir: It´s an hopeless quest trying to avoid scratches in H1 (if one uses the knife at all) and probably also to remove those.
I never tried though (removing!), cause personally I absolutely love when ANY folder in ANY steel starts too look used and more like "mine" and "personal" by that. But that´s just me, literally all of my knives are users,and the approach to keep blades pristine is as fine as my approach is of course. Just H1 not the steel for it then... :rolleyes:

What is even more "scratch prone" in my experience (and as said, I LIKE that): SUS 410, the "cladding" steel for HAP40 and some other steels...

If you want your knife to look like "brand new", buy 2 of everything. One as a "safe queen" and the other as a "user".
$$$$$$ :-)

Accutronman wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 5:39 pm

Any recommendations on what to use/do to remove blade scratches from H-1? I’ve tried Flitz which worked somewhat but not fully. Thanks!

I don't think there's any reason to do it simply because they'll come back fast from something as simple as cutting some cardboard. H1 is a working man's steel, very easy to maintain sharp and rust free, but all that comes with a cost: it scratches like no other steel.

Like Bloke said, scratches happen, for some steels easier than others. For example you'll have a hard time getting scratches on Maxamet or any steel over 64hrc for that matter, for anything else its just part of the deal of using a tool. Nothing wrong with it. I love my well-worn sides of my Pacific Salt, looks very good in contrast with the crisp and clean edge grind/finish I put on it :D

H1 is an amazing steel but it will scratch VERY easily and there’s nothing to be done about that. My suggestion is to use it hard and eventually there will be so many scratches that they will all blend together to form the new finish. Not joking, that’s actually what happens with H1. Buying the blacked out salts is another option if the scratches really bother you.

Enactive wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:05 pm

SUS 410 etc cladding is pretty easy to scratch too.

Oh, that stuff bothers me. Ruins otherwise nice, expensive knives.

Jazz wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:26 am

Enactive wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:05 pm

SUS 410 etc cladding is pretty easy to scratch too.

Oh, that stuff bothers me. Ruins otherwise nice, expensive knives.

I on the other hand love that scratched look on SUS410...

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:09 am

Jazz wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:26 am

Enactive wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:05 pm

SUS 410 etc cladding is pretty easy to scratch too.

Oh, that stuff bothers me. Ruins otherwise nice, expensive knives.

I on the other hand love that scratched look on SUS410...

I am indifferent. Somewhere inbetween you two, Jazz and Wartstein. Knives get scratched if used. Part of life.

Enactive wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:23 pm

Wartstein wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 6:09 am

Jazz wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:26 am

Enactive wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2020 11:05 pm

SUS 410 etc cladding is pretty easy to scratch too.

Oh, that stuff bothers me. Ruins otherwise nice, expensive knives.

I on the other hand love that scratched look on SUS410...

I am indifferent. Somewhere inbetween you two, Jazz and Wartstein. Knives get scratched if used. Part of life.

There seems to be a wide range concerning "scratch-appreciation"... :D

I generally like my users (and all my knives are) to look, well, used.
For example I also like small, "personal" nicks, when the paint wears of the pocket clip, slightly dulled and therefore reprofiled tips and so on, as long as functionality is not affected. All these stuff "tells a story" somehow.

But again, I totally respect different approaches! (Keeping the knife pristine, which certainly is also better if you plan on maybe selling it eventually)