I have been having this odd problem when sanding my handles. I used a light coloured wood on the last knife i made (cherry I believe) and while sanding the wood handle, I kept getting super fine metal dust from the tang mixed into the dust. If I didn't notice it right away and clear it, I would essentially rub the grey fine filings into the wood grain leaving it grey looking. Has this every happened to you guys? Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way? Thanks in advance guys.
It certainly happened to me. I found that the next grit of paper seemed to clean it up and then back again as I sanded. But at 320 or 400 it seemed to go away. I wiped it down with acetone and it seemed ok but yes, it happened. I also found that using anything but fresh sandpaper also made it worse. Like I was rubbing grit from the paper into the wood.
I have resorted to sealing the wood with Tru-Oil at each change in paper after cleaning and drying on a particularly stubborn light wood
