About AbrasiveGuide

AbrasiveGuide exists because we got tired of vague finishing advice that never actually tells you what to use or how to use it.

We're knife makers. We've spent years figuring out which abrasives work, which don't, and why the expensive stuff is sometimes worth it (and sometimes isn't). This site is where we share what we've learned.

Who's Behind This?

AbrasiveGuide is run by the team behind Finishers Supply, an online store specializing in Cratex rubber-bonded abrasives for knife makers.

We started selling finishing supplies because we were already using them in our own shop and kept getting asked "where do you get those?" by other makers. Now we stock the full Cratex line and ship to bladesmiths across the country.

But here's the thing: selling abrasives doesn't help anyone if they don't know how to use them. That's why we built AbrasiveGuide — free, detailed technique guides that actually show you how to get better finishes.

Our Philosophy

  • Specific over vague. We don't say "use an abrasive." We say "use a Cratex bullet point in medium grit at 15,000 RPM with light pressure."
  • Tested in the shop. Every technique on this site has been used on real blades. If it doesn't work, we don't publish it.
  • Honest recommendations. Yes, we sell Cratex. We also tell you when sandpaper or Scotch-Brite is the better choice for a specific job.
  • No gatekeeping. Finishing shouldn't be mysterious. The techniques aren't secret — they just need to be explained clearly.

Why Knife Finishing?

Knife makers have unique finishing challenges that general metalworking guides don't address:

  • Plunge lines that need to be cleaned without rounding geometry
  • Bevels that show every scratch
  • Guards and bolsters with tight inside corners
  • Heat-treated steel that can't be reground without ruining the temper
  • The expectation of a near-flawless finish on a handmade tool

Generic "metal finishing" advice doesn't cut it. That's why we focus specifically on what works for blades.

Get in Touch

Questions about a technique? Suggestions for guides we should write? Want to share your own finishing tips?

Email us: elliott@finisherssupply.com

Or check out our shop: Finishers Supply