I've had good success using the Garyflex blocks (Craytex in USA). The blocks are substantial enough to hold in the hand and move in a linear or circular manner. They are available in at least 3 grades. Depending on the surface to begin with, start with the coarse and move to fine if you need it.

I use discs for the angle grinder that have a fleece on them

they are called dronco discs

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dronco-115-x-22mm-Bore-Angle-Grinder-Cleaning-Fleece-Disc-Coarse-/131558858436?hash=item1ea184dec4

They are really great for cleaning matals and for polishing steels and give the brushed finish

they look expensive but last well

~Will,

My workbench top is covered with thick stainless steel, it's been in use for 40+ years and is deeply scored and dented. This morning, I've used first coarse, then medium and finally, fine Garryflex blocks on a smaarea. I used the blocks in an "up & down" motion.The area was rubbed for no more than about 20 seconds with each block. The fine grade block was only applied to the left half of the area – so that bit has had, say, 3 x 20 seconds of rubbing.

The image (hopefully reproduced here !) was taken with ambient light as flash caused too much flare. Obviously Garryflex has not removed the deep scoring in that time but the surface finish is much improved. That probably doesn't constitute an answer to your " can you get a good even aesthetic linear pattern with the blocks if care is taken", but depending on the surface you have to begin with – Garryflex ought to work OK.

Hi Will, I have some of these **LINK**, they are pretty good and are impregnated throughout, but I don't know how they compare to the Garryflex ones.

Regards Nick.

P.S. no connection to B&H other than an occasional customer.