If you are talking steel knives, no you dont need a bench sander. All ya need is a bar of steel, glue a thin piece of leather to one one side.Then you need sand paper! lots and lots of sand paper! start with a 80 grit to make a even base coat of scratches, then get 120, then 220, 320 up to bout 600 for a almost mirror finish. For a good satin finish go to 320 and then buff( if you hav e a buffer) if no buffer get a scotch brite pad and give er heck.
this one was finished by hand to a 800 grit and buffed.
God Bless
Kenneth.
[attachment deleted by admin]