I've been wondering how engine tuning or bead blasting would look on a blade. Ever seen it done? Bead blast might leave a super frosted finish.
Lots of guys use bead blasting as a finish, and also to prep the tang for putting the handle on. I think a blast cabinet is going to be my next purchase - very handy for making knives.
Ghost, you have a point there, you definitely have a point. I was sooooo wrong in my verb tense it was pathetic. It isn't getting deep, it's way over deep! Valkman, when you do my blade, do me a favor please. Do not, please do not...drill quite so many holes in the tang. I tend to like a heavier handle. It's more comfortable for me, just like my guns, I prefer the balance to be closer to my hand (another reason I dont' care for Glocks).
Well, I drilled 10 small skinners and yours last week and have ground them to 120 grit - doing 220 grit tonight while melbo's Damascus is in the tempering oven. Hope that doesn't ruin it for you - of so let me know and we'll do something else. I could buy another piece and start again and sell this one - got money coming from selling two knives!
It's all good Don, it's all good...don't sweat the small stuff and at this point in life it's probably all small stuff.
One thing about these - they'll always be handle heavy with a 2" blade and a 5" handle no matter what I do!