: Buffing an edged tool can be an adventure. The buffers I have seen come in
: two flavors, 3450 rpm and 1725. A 3450 with an 8" linen wheel has a
: surface speed of 24 inches/sec., so is nothing to be trifled with. Hold
: the piece just a little wrong and you will be flogged with it. A better
: idea here might be to chuck the tool up in a vise and use a leather strop
: impregnated with buffing compound.

When I used to sharpen knives for a fillet line I would use a buffer to finish the edge. I found that holding the tool very lightly helps, (if the wheeel grabs it it is out of your hand) having the cutting edge down is the only way it can be done. use no more force than the weight of your hand to feed the tool to the wheel.
Bob