Just getting back into knives after a few year’s break and this guys right back in my feed with the exact content I’m looking for. Man, Jim watching your methodical progression over the years has been just real quality content to watch.

That is a startling difference you made to that blade. I can just imagine what it would look like on a large bladed Bowie. You are so right about the danger posed by the Buffer Wheels. I got my Buffers from Princess Auto as well. And as you instructed, I am very careful but I have still had it grab my workpiece a few times. There was that Knife Maker, a few years back, I think he was in Alaska. He was killed using a Buffer as far as I remember. It grabbed the blade and it ended up in his chest. A lot of times when I use the buffer now. On a slight angle, I have a piece of three quarter of an inch thick plywood in front of me up to my neck and as wide as my body. It acts as a shield. If need be, I use a Bungee cord to hold it in place. Just an added precaution after little scares.

I bought a couple of Airway buffing wheels. The wheel were not perfectly round so the blade bounced very fast when trying to polish. I measured and found part of the wheel was almost 1/4 inch higher on one side than the other. I could not get them to work so I returned them. I did find a much better quality buffing wheel made by Zephyr made with white Domet Flannel. It works very well.

My little portaband is proving to be the most dangerous tool in my shop judging by the amount of blood it’s cost me!

thats awesome brother

Good info for buffing for a mirror finish!

I've been using combat abrasives' polishing kit. Uses the same wheels and their compounds work phenomenally as well.

Awsome man

I had already seen them and apparently they do make the job easier, unfortunately they are not available where I live. Personally I don't like making knives with a mirror finish, but one piece of advice I could give you is to cover the polishing discs with plastic bags to prevent them from becoming contaminated with dust from the work environment

I still think I'm the most dangerous tool in any shop...

literal mirror finish

Hell yeah! My buffer grabs a knife out of my hand one time! That's not cool! And also heat is a great thing especially on thin edges! Don't press too long on thin blades because it can heat up very quickly... But I like the buffer for handles and spines and Damascus of course 👌

The Alex Steele damascus billet is making a come back? 🙂

Hello you don’t really need ventilated wheels, the best is to use a felt belt from your belt grinder, because it holds up a LOT more compound even at slower speeds it cuts faster than a buffer, i usually take my razors straight from 1200 grit belt to a felt belt with 3 micron compound. As for buffer wheel the hard sizal wheels are best as a first step to remove heavy scratches.

Nice, stand to the side and have a rock solid grip on the handle, one question though, what is gator piss, bottle on your table?

I've been very happy with Combat Abrasive's version, but I must disagree with you about the buffer being the most dangerous tool in the shop. In my shop, my wire wheel/bench grinder has tried to kill me almost as many times as my angle grinder. Sigh.

I use a dril whit the buffing spini thing and clamp the knife to the table, i think thats more safe 😮 what you think?

Very nice, any updates on your press😁😁

Hey Jeremy, loved the video. That finish is impressive. Thought I’d share a pic of my buffer on its stand. The base was filled with sand before I welded the caps on. I think it’s safer than having the buffer on the bench where something could easily bounce and hit the user. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your experiences with us. It’s much appreciated.

You go right from 400 grit to buffing wheel?

Lung protection wouldn't go amiss too... I've got a polishing motor with extraction, I still wear a mask when using it.

last time i used a buffing wheel for polishing it cost me 10 stitches and two weeks of work . i have never used a buffer for polishing anything else since

Imagine how bright it would shine if you went to 600-800 grit before polish

I assume these put a lot of heat in your blade. Bringing down the hardness. Making your damascus cheaper than its worth. I would assume you made it low in hardness to begin with also lowering the value.

first?

I'm surprised no one has mentioned how out of balance those mop wheels are, you need to spend some time balancing them!

I suddenly remembered why I unsubbed.... You became a "product channel" You were one of the channels that inspired me to make knives, but now you shill kit.

Just imagine, a knife company will charge you an extra 500-1000 $ for that