The two pictures below show both the handle area and the blade point on a steel part that has been prepared for cleaning and polishing. The before (left) shows the grinding marks as well as some oxidation (rust) on the surface.
In order to prepare the steel part for polishing to a mirror finish, a two-step vibratory tumbling process was used. The first step used a fast cutting (KSF Bond) Ceramic Tumbling Media with a neutral pH compound to remove the machining and grinding marks, clean the surface and create a smooth, matte finish. The second step to achieve the finish on the right was achieved with a polishing (K-Polish Bond) Precision Ceramic Tumbling Media to smooth out the matte finish and prepare the part for polishing.
Additional vibratory tumbling steps using a harder and heavier media such as Stainless Steel or hand polishing with a buffing wheel will result in a mirror finish.