Polishing a knife is a very important part of making a good looking knife. It can also be a very tiring process, and takes a while to get a good shine when using basic equipment.
If you happen to have a belt sander or grinder, you can simply purchase high grit belts for polishing. Using progressive belts up to about 400-600, then taking it to a buffer can give you a nice shine. If you don't have a belt sander or grinder, you can always use just plain old sandpaper.
You'll need grits of 50, 80, 100, 120, 180, 220, 320, 400, and 600 if you're doing it all with sandpaper. This may seem like a lot, but each sheet should cost around a dollar or two, and will last a long time. Cut sections large enough to where it can be folded all the way around the blade. Put the knife into a vise with the blade, and about an inch of the tang sticking out. Use the sandpaper (starting with 50) by pulling it down from the tang to the tip slowly and carefully. Continue until all lines are parallel and are 50 grit. Wipe off any remaining steel dust, and move up a grit and repeat. Remember to not move up to the next grit until all lines from the previous grit are gone.
When you're done, use some polishing cream or buffing compound to shine it up. If you have one, use a buffing wheel (can be attached to bench grinders) to bring it to a nice shine.
If you happen to have a belt sander or grinder, you can simply purchase high grit belts for polishing. Using progressive belts up to about 400-600, then taking it to a buffer can give you a nice shine. If you don't have a belt sander or grinder, you can always use just plain old sandpaper.
You'll need grits of 50, 80, 100, 120, 180, 220, 320, 400, and 600 if you're doing it all with sandpaper. This may seem like a lot, but each sheet should cost around a dollar or two, and will last a long time. Cut sections large enough to where it can be folded all the way around the blade. Put the knife into a vise with the blade, and about an inch of the tang sticking out. Use the sandpaper (starting with 50) by pulling it down from the tang to the tip slowly and carefully. Continue until all lines are parallel and are 50 grit. Wipe off any remaining steel dust, and move up a grit and repeat. Remember to not move up to the next grit until all lines from the previous grit are gone.
When you're done, use some polishing cream or buffing compound to shine it up. If you have one, use a buffing wheel (can be attached to bench grinders) to bring it to a nice shine.