Frizzen back finishing?

[Birddog1911]

So I'm cleaning up my Kibler Ketland, getting ready to put it all together. One thing I haven't been able to do is finish the back of the frizzen.

It comes hardened, but still shows the marks and dull finish. Is there anyway to clean it up without having to anneal the frizzen, and go through all of that?

What have you Kibler guys done with yours?

 

[sleepingbulldog]

I cleaned mine up with a file, then Emory cloth and wet/dry sandpaper to 400 grit. I then buffed it with my Dremel and a cloth wheel before finishing with Oxpho Blue.

 

[TDM]

Are you talking about the strike face or the back?

 

[rich pierce]

On eBay you can find inexpensive diamond file sets. It’s worthwhile to buy a set made up of flat files with different grits and a set that are like needle files. These are great for really hard steel. After filing to get surfaces flat and free of pits I switch to abrasive papers backed by files.

 

[Birddog1911]

Are you talking about the strike face or the back?

The back of the frizzen, not the strike face.

On eBay you can find inexpensive diamond file sets. It’s worthwhile to buy a set made up of flat files with different grits and a set that are like needle files. These are great for really hard steel. After filing to get surfaces flat and free of pits I switch to abrasive papers backed by files.

I actually do have a set of those, so I'll try them.

 

[TDM]

The back of the frizzen, not the strike face.

That's not a problem then. Just do what @sleepingbulldog said, that's basically the same as I do. You won't hurt a thing.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I use files, sandpaper then a wire wheel brush to finish the backs of my frizzens.

 

[Birddog1911]

Glad I remembered where my Emory cloth is. Thanks to everyone for the tips.

 

[Birddog1911]

I'm a little surprised by how deep those...casting pits?...are. Those may take a little time.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I use different grits of sandpaper wrapped around needle files both flat and round to polish the frizzen, it does take a while.

 

[rich pierce]

I’m surprised that files cut the backs of frizzens as folks have suggested above.

 

[TDM]

I’m surprised that files cut the backs of frizzens as folks have suggested above.

If the entire frizzen was hardened it would be surprising. But mine are all only surface hardened on the face. Not very deep, and sometimes not deep enough.

 

[Birddog1911]

I’m surprised that files cut the backs of frizzens as folks have suggested above.

My regular files wouldn't work worth a darn, but the diamond files did the trick. It's still a lot of work, I'm only about half way done.