The types of surface blade finishing

Mirror Polished Finish:

The mirror polished finish is one of the most fascinating and refined finishes for knife blades.

This finish is achieved through a manual polishing process that brings the metal of the blade to a highly reflective and polished, mirror-like surface.

However, this finish has both advantageous characteristics and important limitations.

One of the main advantages of the mirror finish is its exceptionally pleasant aesthetic appearance.

The reflective and glossy surface gives the knife an aura of luxury and precision craftsmanship.

In addition, the smoothness of the blade contributes to better corrosion resistance, since it offers less surface area for the accumulation of corrosive agents such as moisture.

However, there are important considerations to keep in mind when opting for a mirror finish. First of all, this type of finish requires considerable effort and expertise in polishing, making the process laborious and time-consuming.

The labor and skills required often result in a significantly higher cost for the knife.

In addition, the mirror finish is delicate and tends to scratch easily when the blade is used for practical purposes.

This makes it more suitable for collectible knives or display models, rather than for tactical uses or for everyday cutting.

In summary, mirror polished finish is an extremely fascinating choice for knife blades, but it must be carefully considered according to the intended use and personal needs.

This finish offers a luxurious appearance and better corrosion resistance but requires constant maintenance to preserve its beauty, and is more suitable for collectible knives or for display rather than intensive use in the field.

A mirror polished finish of the blade is done by hand, polishing the metal until it gets a highly reflective surface.

Although it looks nice and offers better corrosion resistance due to the smoothness of the blade, this type of finish requires a lot of polish to maintain its bright and reflective appearance and its reflective quality may not be ideal in the tactical field.

The amount of hours and skill (not a simple operation) required to achieve this finish often results in a very expensive blade and custom knives for collectors or exhibition models.

A mirror finish is quickly scratched when the blade is used and that is why it is often an aesthetic finish for high-end knives for collectors.

Blasted Finish:

Blasting is achieved using abrasive glass or ceramic beads and the finish is performed by blasting the high-pressure materials against the metal, resulting in a uniform and grey finish.

A compressor and a blasting gun are used with grains of different sizes and materials.

A sandblasted finish reduces reflection and glare thanks to its matte uniform surface.

The creation of a sandblasted finish is a basic level or a user-level finish on a knife blade.

The blasting creates a larger surface area and the micro-abrasions make the steel more prone to rust and corrosion.

A sanded blade, even in stainless steel, can rust at night if left in a very humid environment.

Blasted Finish is a surface finish used in knife blades and many other metal objects.

This finish is achieved through the use of abrasive beads of glass or ceramic that are fired at high pressure against the metal, creating a uniform and matte surface.

Here are some of the main features of the sandblasted finish:

1. Sandblasting process: Sandblasting is performed using a compressor and a sandblasting gun. Abrasive beads are forcefully fired against the surface of the metal, removing small amounts of material and creating a uniform finish.
2. Reduction of glare and glare: The sandblasted finish is appreciated for its ability to reduce reflection and glare thanks to its matte surface. This feature makes it ideal for situations where light reflection could be annoying.
3. Basic or user level: Sandblasting is often considered a basic level or user-friendly finish for knife blades. It is a practical choice for those looking for a finish that offers a good fit and a not too elaborate appearance.
4. Increased susceptibility to rust: It is important to note that the sandblasted finish creates a larger surface area on the blade, and micro-abrasions can make steel more prone to rust and corrosion. Even stainless steel blades can rust if left in very humid environments for an extended period.

In summary, sandblasting is a surface finish that gives a uniform, matte appearance to knife blades.

It is a practical choice for users looking for a good fit and a finish that reduces light reflection.

However, it is important to keep in mind the increased susceptibility to rust associated with this finish and take appropriate maintenance measures to prevent corrosion, especially in humid environments.

Coated Finish:

The burn is usually black, flat dark earth or gray, a coated finish of the blade that reduces reflection and glare reducing wear and corrosion.

However, ALL coatings can be scratched after intense and continuous use, and the blade should be coated again.

Generally the harder the finish is, the more resistant to wear and more expensive to add to a knife.

High-quality finishes are electrically, chemically or thermally linked to the surface rather than simple paint-like drying paints or chemical burnwith liquids.

High-end coatings such as The Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) require the blade to go into a special coating system for physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) application in a vacuum environment.

Interestingly, before being coated, most blades receive a sandblasted finish to have the maximum adhesion surface.

Coatings can prolong the life of a blade (especially with carbon steel) by preventing corrosion or rust.

Quality coatings add a cost to a knife, but offer more corrosion resistance, less reflexes and require less maintenance.

It is often a finish used on tactical and military knives.

Burnishing, or Coated Finish, is a surface finish used in knife blades and many other metal applications.

This finish usually appears as a black, flat or gray dark earth coating and offers a number of practical and aesthetic advantages.

Here are some of the main features of burnishing:

1. Reduction of glare and glare: One of the main qualities of burnishing is its ability to reduce glare and glare due to its matte appearance. This makes it ideal for situations where light reflection could be annoying or unwanted.
2. Corrosion and wear protection: Burnishing acts as a protective coating on the blade, helping to prevent corrosion and wear of the underlying metal. This is especially advantageous for carbon steel blades, which are more susceptible to corrosion.
3. Wear resistance: High-quality coatings are generally harder and wear-resistant, which means the knife will retain its finish longer, even with intensive use.
4. Advanced Application Methods: High-end coatings such as DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) are applied using advanced processes such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) in a vacuum environment. These processes ensure better adhesion and resistance of the coating.
5. Corrosion prevention: Coatings can protect the blade from rust and corrosion, helping to extend the life of the knife.
6. Application on sandblasted blades: Before coating application, many blades undergo a sandblasted finish to maximize coating adhesion.
7. Additional cost: Adding a high-quality coating can increase the overall cost of a knife, but it offers a number of advantages in terms of strength, durability and ease of maintenance.
8. Tactical and military applications: Burnishing is often used on tactical and military knives, where corrosion resistance, low reflection and durability are fundamental requirements.

In summary, burnishing is a versatile and highly functional surface finish for knife blades.

It offers corrosion protection, reduced glare and glare, and wear resistance.

Although it may incur an extra fee, it’s a popular choice for tactical, military, and those looking for a finish that requires less maintenance over time.

Stonewashed finish:

A stonewashed finish refers to rotating the blade inside a container filled with an abrasive material in the shape of cones or stones.

This finish easily hides scratches, while also providing a less reflective nature than a brushed or satin blade.

There is a wide variety of stonewashed finishes based on several factors:

• the abrasive shape of the stones,
• rotation movement and
• on the type of blade finish before it enters the tumbler.

A “ston stonash” or “black stonewash” finish is a blade that has undergone an acid icmletor that darkens the blade before it undergoes stone wash.

Acid oxidation improves the rust resistance of a blade by placing a stable oxide barrier between steel and the environment.

A very positive advantage of the stonewashed blades/handle is that they are low maintenance and retain their original appearance for a long time.

The stonewashed finish hides the scratches that can occur with use over time.

The stonewashed finish is one of the most popular options for knife blades, valued for its ability to hide scratches and its less reflective appearance than other finishes.

This finish is achieved by rotating the blade inside a container filled with an abrasive material in the form of cones or stones.

Here are some of the key features of the stonewashed finish:

1. Hide scratches: One of the main qualities of the stonewashed finish is its ability to hide scratches. Thanks to the rubbing effect of abrasive stones, the marks or small imperfections that may occur over time with daily use tend to mix with the stonewashed finish, making them less noticeable.
2. Less reflective appearance: The stonewashed finish offers a less reflective appearance than finishes such as brushed or satin. This makes it a popular choice for those who prefer a knife with a more restrained and less noticeable appearance.
3. Variety of stonewashed finishes: There are many variations in stonewashed finish based on several factors, such as the shape of the abrasive stones, the rotational movement and the type of blade finish before entering the tumbling process. For example, the “black stonewash” is a variant in which the blade is subjected to acid treatment to darken it before the stonewashing process. This oxidation improves the rust resistance of the blade, creating a stable oxide barrier between the steel and the environment.
4. Low maintenance: Blades or handles with stonewashed finish require low maintenance and retain their original appearance for a long time. This makes them practical for daily use without the need for constant care and maintenance.

In summary, the stonewashed finish is a very popular choice for knife blades due to its ability to hide scratches, its less reflective appearance and its ease of maintenance.

It is a versatile finish that adapts well to a wide range of applications, and is particularly suitable for those looking for a knife that can maintain its beauty over time, even with regular use.

Conclusions

The surface finishes of the knife blades are a fundamental aspect in the creation of these sharp tools, with a crucial role both from an aesthetic and functional point of view.

Each type of finish offers a unique range of benefits, helping to define the appearance, performance and durability of the knife.

From the hand satin finishing, which gives elegance and resistance to stains, to the spectacular damask finish, which celebrates the artisan tradition, these finishes convey the passion and dedication of master cutlers from all over the world.

The art of knife blade finishes is not limited to the surface, but is a form of expression that embraces history, culture and functionality.

Each knife with a particular finish brings with it a story, a tradition or an innovation.

The choice of a finish becomes a style statement and a practical consideration, since it affects the suitability of the knife for specific tasks.

Whether it’s a professional kitchen knife, a collector’s blade or a survival tool for outdoor adventures, blade finishes are an essential part of its identity.

In this diverse world of knife finishes, there is room for aesthetics and functionality, for innovation and tradition, and for the creativity of those who embrace the art of creating unique and fascinating knives.

So, whatever your personal preference, knife blade finishes remain a testament to human skill and love for this ancient and fascinating craft.

Overall, each surface finish has its advantages and disadvantages but is often just an aesthetic choice related to the taste of the maker.

Depending on the use of the knife and what it is used for, the finish should be chosen, which can still help maintain its appearance or durability.

The surface finish of the knife blade influences the overall cost of a knife and must reflect the purpose of the knife.

A blade finish is both an aesthetic choice and a practical choice in the evaluation of knives.

Are you experience?

Andrea

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