Mirror Polishing???

[ZaneD]

What do you guys use to polish your blades to that mirror shine? I have tried a couple things but I can't get it.

[sticshooter]

Ya know if ya got a mirror finish and you use it... it will show scratches real bad. I like a brushed finish myself. But i do have some knives with mirror finish but they do not get used. I'll send that wood this weekend anything spl ya want?<><

[JEFF B]

i use a fine sanding belt then a product called matchless cut and colour you use it with a sisal wheel to wisk away the polishing marks left by the sanding belt and then i finish with green rouge. it is perfect for final polishing on stainless and other iron based metals. i use it with a muslin wheel . hope this helps ya      

[robtattoo]

EDM stones, wet & dry paper & lots & lots of fingerwork & patience!

[Doug Campbell]

Rob nailed it, lots of patience and the proper steps from one grit to another.

It is a real drag to spend all that time achieving that beautiful polish the pulling it out of the sheath the first time and there is a big scuff on the blade.

[IB]

Mine mostly come that way      

[dorris]

what grrit paper do you guys use ? starting out and finishing .

[robtattoo]

Whew! I start at 150 & can work right through to 2000 if needed. I usually got to 400 or 600 for a good satin finish, 1200 for a really fine satin finish & then polishing mops & compounds for a true 'mirror' shine.

It's a long-ass haul, however you do it, if you want to do it right.

[kbaknife]

Don't get caught in the trap of thinking you get a mirror polish by buffing - you don't.
99 and 44/100% of the job is sanding!
Guys try and try to use buffers to remove scratches and that's a waste of time.
Remove scratches with finer sandpaper!
Good methods were shown above. Personally I go 220-400-800-1200-1500. Paying close attention to make sure all previous scratches were removed from the preceeding grit before moving on.
Buffing should be just a quick Wham-Bam! and go right to mirror polish.
But, like everyone else said, one tiny little blemish on a perfectly executed mirror polish and it's toast!
A better finish, for a utility knife, would be to take the blade up to and fully through
600 or 800, pulling the stroke the entire length of the blade. Nice flat finish and fine scratches won't ruin your day!

[OconeeDan]

Baldor buffer and green matchless compound.