u/TheHonedLizard

If I follow the ricasso curve to the point near the spine and everything back to the lock face like this with a heavy coat of fingernail polish - would that painted point hold up to the dryer method of tumbling? I also have access to kapton tape.

Or an artifact from the multitude of light sources? The microscope is easy - the lighting, not so much.

I have this knife with an unknown steel type blade. It's shiny AF which is not me.

Assuming all of the normal prep of course, what are my chances of stone washing this more matte in the standard gravel, water, dish soap and gatorade bottle method?

I know it doesn't look too shiny here, but it is, trust me.

Wife brought home a USB microscope for me yesterday. Seems they ordered for the office a few years back, didn't work like they wanted and it got thrown in a closet - and was being thrown out yesterday.

This is unknown steel after a 1200 Boride T2 stone, no stropping. Just curious what the pros say about it.

Still working out the focus on the fiddly little thing.

Is marking a straight line from heel to tip, marking the center of that line and then clamping to center and matching the angle of the line (like on a lansky) best practice for long knifes with a steep angle change at tip?

A few weeks ago, I posted—and later deleted—a negative review of an Ali store whose name and branding looked a lot like NAKED.

Long story short, after some back-and-forth with the seller, I decided to give them another shot and ordered a Lem 2026 New PT3 in blue frag.

I'm glad I did.

This knife is fantastic. It arrived dead-centered and nearly drop-shut right out of the box. I always disassemble, clean, lube, and tune any knife I buy, and after a few minutes with this one, it was absolutely dialed in.

The action feels great, and the acoustics are excellent. The little tink it makes when closing is downright addictive.

What really impresses me is how much knife you get in such a compact package. I've removed the clip, added a small lanyard, and plan to carry it loose in my pocket. Despite its size, it still gives me a full four-finger grip with my large hands.

It looks good, feels good, sounds good, and carries exactly how I want it to.

What's not to like? I love this knife and I will have no hesitation about buying from this store again.

Very old 80T bought in a ziplok bag of folders for $20 at the thrift store.

Lots of cleaning. Then some more cleaning. Re-profiled the main blade but barely touched the other 2 - yet. 😇😎

Left the patina and enhanced with vinegar/mustard where cleaning/grinding removed it. I could go further with this but this Old Boy deserves to keep most of his battle scars and for now he's staying as is.

The black patina with the brass liners, silver caps and wood look delrin is doing it for me.

He is one very, very pointy pokey boy.

Old Timer / Schrade USA 80T. Someone daily carried this knife for decades by the look of it when I bought it. It seemed to be cared for and seeing the sharpening that comes from grandpas dished out toolbox stone brought back memories. I love that this old boy is getting a new life.

The black patina that came out after the first deep cleaning is staying and being put back in the places that get ground off.

This knife has history and I want to keep as much of it as I can, yet make it mine. Chip in the blade is staying.

The marker in the pictures is just playing with new profiles, but probably close. I’m planning on putting a first stone rough edge on it and seeing where the absolute minimal metal to take off the spine would be. I want the points to be more useable as I’m planning on this seeing pocket time.

This will be the first knife I’ve done this to that I wanted to keep but I’ve practiced enough that it should be easy enough. Still thought I’d ask and see if there are any suggestions from the group that knows.

Seems as if quite a few of the stones for this size system need some prep work. Looking for diamond plate to lap on.

Thoughts on this one?

Other suggestions?