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THE BUFFS

Buffs are sticks of softwood covered, on one or more faces, with a bonded Abrasive — sandpaper or emery cloth, corundum, or polycrystalline diamond. As with Files, their cross-section (flat, round, half-round or triangular) is chosen according to the profile of the surface to be treated, and the abrasive grain is selected according to the desired surface finish, from roughing to the finest finish. Unlike the File, whose cutting action relies on metal teeth, the Buff works by abrasion and leaves a more regular and less aggressive mark, making it a tool for touch-up work rather than significant material removal. Buffs are mainly used to smooth out marks left by filing or machining, and to carry out various Decoration operations such as Satin finish, drawn lines or the Beveling / Angling of the faces and sides of components. To access narrow or angular areas of a part, the Horologist (watchmaker) often cuts the tip of the Buff with a knife, giving it a fine point or a profile suited to the operation, as the abrasive gradually wears away with repeated use and must then be renewed.

Assortment of buffs