Main Blade Scratch Removal ZDP 189? Sandpaper .

[cmyhero]

In the process of starting to reprofile the edge of my endura4 189zdp I got about 18 scratch lines from the diamond sharpmaker rod. How can they be removed

[JRinFL]

I forget, is the Endura 4 clad in softer stainless steel? If so, it should polish up nicely.

[cmyhero]

JRinFl. not sure what you mean by "clad" but the 189 zdp is close to 64 rockwell hardness so ??

[vivi]

Some ZDP189 blade were clad in another softer steel on the side, 420 series I believe. IIRC Enduras are solid ZDP.

Try taking some sandpaper to it. That or just leave the scratches, they come with use anyways. If you decide to polish it I'd start around 600 grit and work up to 1000-12000.

[Bloke]

Stuff like that is annoying!

I forgot to adjust the stops on my Hapstone when I set up to sharpen my day old Sprig, got distracted and overrode a little with a 220grit SiC. It lightly scratched the blade and I could happy live without it, but I figure if this is the worst to happen to a knife destined for the field, ... I'm laughing!

I half heartedly gave it a light rub with a fine knife eraser, wondered why I was even bothering and called it good. :)

[Zatx]

Endura 4 is solid ZDP. I believe the polish level on the blade is about 800 grit. I've polished the sides of my blade before. You will end up sanding off the center of the Spyderco logo if you do this. You pretty much have to do the entire side to get the scratch patterns to line up.

[PayneTrain]

The Endura was solid ZDP. Unfortunately, the only real way to remove scratches is to refinish the blade. Starting with a low grit, sand in only one direction, then work your way up to the desired grit sanding in a direction perpendicular to the grit before til all marks from the previous grit are gone. I think the grit of the factory satin finishes vary from knife to knife, but I don't think they go too high. Maybe 600 or so.

I guess you can try to spot finish it and try to match the original grit and direction and carefully blend it in, but it may be difficult depending on the scratches and how precise your sanding technique is.

Or, just say screw it and use it until scratches ARE the finish. :)

[toxophilus]

I've gotten good results with the green scotchbrite pads rubbing the same direction as the pattern on the blade; it will dull your edge but after that treatment a good sharpening is called for :)

[vivi]

So much easier to leave them be.



Users have more character anyways :D

[Bloke]

So much easier to leave them be.

Too true! Trying to fix scratches usually leads to more scratches! :eek:

[Mr Blonde]

For minor scratches I've sometimes used Flitz or a similar metal polish with good results. This might not actually 'remove' the scratches but it does make them a lot harder to see.

[Will Rogers]

The same thing happened to me while sharpening my Caly 3 in ZDP-189 with diamond rods. One or two scratches from real use adds character to a knife. A bunch of scratches from sharpening the blade doesn't.