Hi All

I eventually got around to stripping my ASH-1. I thought long and hard about it, because I suspected the blade would be very rough beneath the coating. I was not disappointed. There are circular grind marks on both sides of the blade, and I have come to the conclusion that I will not be able to sand them off by hand. Not before Christmas, anyway. So, I have decided that since this will be a working blade, I’m going to leave it like that and concentrate on the edge. The spine, also, was very rough but is a lot better after a couple of hours of sanding.

The stripping was easy with paint stripper and took about 30 min to get all the coating off and out of the talon holes. I sanded the spine and blade with 400 and then 600 grit. Although it doesn’t look that smooth, it feels very smooth to the touch and I think this will assist in keeping rust at bay. Alas, no Infi dimples were to be found on the ASH…
Waiting...

Scraped clean

Nice smooth gray

After 400 & 600 grit

Spine

I noticed something interesting (see pictures). Right after stripping the blade it had a nice gray color but I thought the blade was exceptionally smooth and could see no tool marks. However, as soon as I starting sanding the tool marks popped out like magic. Very strange. I guess there is another coating under the coating, so the speak.

Anyway, then on to the edge. I convexed the DMDC last week up to 600 grit (see pics), so started on the ASH. It is only 50% done on one side (right hand side) but taking shape nicely. I do not like the mousepad and sand paper stationary on a table or bench, but use a hand sander that has a rubber backing. This allows me to rotate the sander and the blade when sharpening the tip so that it becomes easier to keep a constant angle. The rubber on the sander is also harder than a mousepad and allows me to put a little pressure on the knife without rounding off the edge. The DMDC will shave hair, but is not as sharp as I would like just yet. I will go up to 2000 grit over the weekend and then strop. I will post update pics on the result.
Start of the stroke

End of the stroke




Dumpster Mutt:

[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/IMG_0663.JPG[/img]
[img]http://www.overlandrover.net/IMG_8195.JPG[/img]

All in all I had fun and the ASH looks so much more substantial now that it’s naked. Funny, but it’s hard to explain. I’m slightly disappointed that the blade wasn’t finished a bit better, but hey, that’s why it’s coated, right?

Awesome pics. That ASH-1 sure looks sweet!! The edge on the DM looks really good too. I like the looks of your handsander method. Do you rotate the knife and handsander at the same time once you get to the belly of the knife?

Exactly. In oposite directions.

That looks great, Gideon. Seeing how much work it is to smooth out that ASH-1 blade makes me think I'll leave the coating on mine, for now. Beautiful edge on that mutt. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the info.

wow!
that ash looks really nice!
The edge on that dmdc looks VERY good.
looks like one of vics!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the pics.

Thanks Vic. Yes, that ASH blade will take a belt sander to smooth out. I might just send it your way if it irritates me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the compliment on the Mutt's edge. Coming from you, it means a lot. Your knives are all beautifully sharpened.

I've also heard from Jeff that my ASH's sheath has shipped, so now my wife won't get me off the ceiling untill it arrives. Can't wait! I'm such a child <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I feel like an 11 year old boy when it comes to toys in the mail.

I thought you have done a really nice job on both your blades. I am doing a polish on my Steel Heart as well. The beautifully polished edge of the DC Mutt really contrasts to the double cut finish. I love the use of a sanding pad instead of a mousepad! It even clamps down the sandpaper. I will totally try that.


I often use pieces of 25cent piece sanding belt in a dremel bit to make sanding down lots of material much easier than by hand. I still finish by hand but it goes a lot faster. I use 60 grit for removing material fast or sharpening garden tools
and finer grits for polishing.

I still have to make sure the piece is totally flat by sanding by hand with a flat piece of metal. I have got to 600 grit on one side so far. Here is a link ,sorry about that but Putfile is dyeing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28973838@N07/2706515224/in/photostream/
You can get a nice reflection of my Wanted poster.

Nice job on the ASH stripping, Gideon! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I'm guessing you might have those pants tomorrow... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

I'm the same way with stuff I know is coming... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/loopy.gif" alt="" />

I need to post a pic of the goof I made with my ASH-1 that turned out really cool. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I was forming a sheath with it and the brown dye was still a little wet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> So it stained part of the Mycarta Brown, so I thought what the heck I'll just dye the whole side and see how it looks...

I really like the way it turned out!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I still gotta dye the other side though... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Here it is...




What do you guys think? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


That's your sheath with the knife Gideon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cool! That sheath looks absolutely stunning... Now, Jeff, just how do you expect me to go to sleep tonight? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

Also, I think that dye looks great. What dye is it? I'm thinking that will go really nice with the sheath <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for the tease, I just couldn't help myself... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Dye is the regular alcohol based Fiebings leather dye. I just dabbed it on and then wiped off the excess. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />