Hi guys... Been a few years since I stopped by...

...Anyway, I have a question about long term maintenance of swords and the effects on blade geometry. Specifically, how much use of a scotch brite pad to restore the finish can a sword take before you have to start worrying about significant changes to blade geometry?

Is the Scotch Brite pad mostly just adjusting the finish, or is it actually removing metal? Is it something one can use from time to time without worry, or is it something that should be reserved for only when absolutely needed? I know it sounds silly, but its something I've been wondering about....

I've used them for years with no noticable effects. I use them after every time I cut to get marring off the blade, as well as when I get discoloration, handling marks, rust, etc. I am sure some metal is removed, but it has to be a microscopic amount over time - I've never noticed a difference in swords I have used them time and time again on. :)

Scotch brite does 'remove' metal, in fact any agent that 'scrathes the surface 'removes' metal, but it would literally take decades of constant polishing with the medium to notice a discernable change in edge geometry. So in short not to worry, polish away. I recommend red scotch brite over grey.

I have recently been finishing a bare blade from Albion. My plan has been to start with 6o grit sandpaper, and work up to a 220. I have been rubbing and rubbing and rubbing and rubbing and rubbing and rubbing for two weeks off and on. I just dropped to 80 grit paper. You should be ok if you are just getting the surface of the blade to have a consistent texture. I would even go so far as to challenge you to "significantly" change the blade geometry without a power tool. I use scotch bright pads to buff out marks from cutting. I wouldn't worry about it.

Won't change the geometry of the blade to any significant degree even if used for years but one must be careful about not dulling very sharp edges when sanding close to the edges.

Also with very sharp edged one can lose some skin on the finger tips if one's fingers touch the edges by accident ! Often nothing more than the equivalent to nasty paper cuts i.e. not deep but annoying. Oh, and wash your hands after with rubbing alcohol to see if you did take off a layer of skin of the tips of your finger. ;) :p ( Well don't, just a very mean joke if you actually did use the rubbing alcohol ....... OUCH. ;) :p :lol: ).

Oh, avoid the edges if you want to keep the sword sharp or plan on giving the edges a light touch up after using the pads

Found a neat Scotch Bright table to share with everyone:

http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/biophysics/technotes/fabric/finish.pdf

I ordered some of those maroon scotch brites. I'm excited to see how they work!

Many they can get ride of some of those "stains" left over from rust. BTW guys are those stains permanent or can they be removed?

Well, there shouldn't be stains left by rust (after grinding it out with just about anything), which leads me to believe that you either aren't getting all the rust or that whatever you're working on has a rough finish and rust particles are being rubbed into grooves and whatnot. Regardless you can get rid of the stains by putting some more elbow grease into it. May I ask what you are presently using? And maybe you could provide a picture or two of these stains?

Concerning the OP, I simply use 2000 grit automotive sandpaper on my stuff. I think I've asked this before but no harm in asking again: Is there any reason any of you would reccomend against this? Are you aware of any pros or cons using this as opposed to the ever-popular Scotch-Brite products?

I've got a question for you guys, Im sure this is suppossed to fall under the "it's not rocket science" catagory, however there are times when i like to have things spelled out for me. The question is this: do you guys use the scotch brite pags in conjunction with a polish, or just the bare pads?