Polishing Compounds

When carving a design or pattern with a lot of fine details, it is impossible to care for the accessories without polishing compounds for wood carving tools. A blade that is not properly polished can damage the workpiece. Below you will find the information explaining why a beginner needs it and how to choose the right one.

How tool maintenance compounds are used

When carving large parts, the blade geometry is not really important. The main thing is that it should not have any nicks or excessive roughness. If you are carving a small pattern, the blade requirements are stricter. Roughness caused by sharpening can damage both pattern and a whole workpiece.

This is why the blade surface must be polished. A special stropping compound is used for this, which is a sticky compound with abrasive grain. The properties of the compound depend precisely on the diameter of the latter. If the grain size is 10-12 microns, the abrasive is used to remove severe roughness caused, for example, by careless sharpening. Other polishing compounds for wood carving tools include grain with a diameter of about five μm, and these are used for final polishing.

There are also other options with a grain size of 5 to 7 μm. It is a one-size-fits-all option that is suitable both for removing small roughness and for final polishing. These are exactly the kind of buffing compounds for wood carving tools suitable for beginners. After all, if you have them around, you don’t need to have any more options and decide which one to use and when.

When and how to polish a carving knife with a compound

Polishing is done when needed, i.e. when blades become stained. This often happens after sharpening or prolonged work with the hardwood. The process is following:

1. The knife is clamped (e.g. in a vice).
2. A stropping compound is applied to it.
3. A leather strop or a special stone is used to rub the paste onto the blade.
4. This is done until the metal surface has no more roughness and is smooth.

It is better to use a soft plastic sponge instead of a strap or stone in case of final polishing. This will prevent the blade from being scratched if too much pressure is applied.

A honing compound is used for polishing cylindrical and tapered surfaces — cutting knives with a concave blade (e.g. spoon carving knives). However, it is not necessary to buy this particular compound as you can use steel processing compounds instead of a honing compound.

Stropping compound from BeaverCraft

BeaverCraft offers tools and accessories for woodworking, including blade polishing pastes. Today there are two types of buffing compounds for wood carving tools in our catalogue. They are identical in terms of characteristics. They are all-purpose abrasives with a grain size from 5 to 7 mm. These compounds can be used for all types of carving knives and are suitable for polishing steel surfaces. The only difference is the paste volume: the first option weighs 45-50 g and the second — 20-25 g. The price depends on weight — the smaller it is, the lesser it costs.

Our abrasives are shaped in bricks, which are easy to store and transport. They can be used on most metals: steel (including stainless steel), cast iron, and other hard alloys. The BeaverCraft polishers are also suitable for stone and glass.

Besides the compounds, we also offer additional accessories for sharpening carving knives. Our catalogue has a wide range of sharpening stones and leather strops for polishing steel surfaces.

What Are Polishing Compounds for Wood?

Sharpening buffing compounds for wood is a substance consisting of chemical abrasive particles. This compound is usually used in the final stages of sharpening and polishing.

This compound is produced in different forms and in different physical states. For example, it can look like a wax bar, paste or spray.

Buffing compounds for wood consist of either alumina, chromium oxide, or diamonds.

For What Purpose and Where Can These Compounds Be Used?

This mixture is intended for use in the final sharpening process of the cutting device. The abrasive particles of the mixture are so small that they polish the edge of the blade to the mirror.

However, it is important to note that they are not too aggressive to completely sharpen a blunt knife. It really only helps to reach sharp and shiny edges faster and easier.

What are its types?

There are different types of compounds for polishing blades. Externally, they differ only in color. Each color has its own properties and purpose. Example:

• Green Color
  This compound is intended only for the removal of minor scratches and polishing to the mirror surface. Suitable for stainless steel.

• Brown Color
  It is a very versatile compound and is commonly used to polish surfaces on softer metals such as brass, copper and aluminum. It can even be applied on wooden surfaces, which provides shine.

• White Color
  Ideal for cutting and good polishing. Suitable for hard metals and stainless steel.

• Blue Color
  Restores smoothness and shine to non-ferrous metals, synthetic materials and plastics.
  

• Pink Color
  A very versatile mixture. It is used for polishing both soft and hard metals.

• Black Color
  Used to remove deep scratches, as well as to smooth very rough surfaces. Suitable for aluminum, steel, copper, brass and similar metals.

• Yellow Color
  Provide a brilliant shine to hard metals such as gold and platinum.

• Gold Color
  Provides high-quality luster to metals.

How To Use These Compounds?

Apply these compounds on a hard and flat surface. Be sure to place them on a beveled surface and move the blade from the cutting edge. Repeat the same actions with the opposite part of your cutting tool.

FAQ for BeaverCraft's Polishing Compounds