I've been using the 8" paper wheel system for more than a year now, and my knives are paper-strip-slicing sharp. I do have a few questions for the experts on this board.
1. I turned my grinder around and have it pointed toward a solid wall. I sharpen by looking down from above, and I have a strong light shining on the wheel surface to ensure I can see what's going on with the edge. I measured and marked out my angles on my motor's housing with a marker, this lets me (looking down from the top) reference where to hold the blade to achieve the angle I want (15, 20, 25 degrees).
2. First on the grit wheel, I have found that the grit feels very rough at first, when new, but after a little use, (maybe 10-15 440C steel knives,) the surface smooths out a bit. I'm using the wax sparingly, just a kiss rubbed on the wheel to produce some streaks. I sharpen, watch for the burr, watch for wax buildup on the blade, and immediately reapply wax lightly when I see the first spark. Is this good technique?
3. Pressure: How much pressure to use? When new, the wheel cuts instantly, (weight of the blade is all I need), do I need to apply a little more pressure to ensure even contact as the wheel ages to form the burr?
I also noticed that on some knives, I get a pronounced burr, maybe 1/4mm in length, on others, I can see the burr forming, but it seems to exist only for a second then disappear as the blade moves across the wheel's face. Is this just a difference in steels, or is my technique or equipment off? Lately, as the wheel is now, maybe 20 knives in, I'm finding I get a a rather thick burr forming, one that will catch on my fingernail as I draw it down the opposite side of the blade. I'm worried that isn't a burr at all, but is a bent-over edge.
So, does it sound like I've dulled my grit somehow? It will still remove metal, and the knife gets pretty sharp, but I'm not seeing that pronounced ribbon burr each time that tells me for sure.
3. Also on the grit wheel, is there anything wrong with cleaning it with a belt-sander dressing stick, essentially a giant india rubber eraser. I rub it on the wheel, and give it several new rubber edges, and I can see the wheel change color, going from dark to light gray. Turned off, I see no wax after cleaning and the wheel looks new, however, it clearly feels much smoother and with much less bite than when it's new with a fresh coating of grit.
I've recoated the grit wheel 2 times so far in the past 12 months. Does this sound like a normal wear interval, or am I doing something to wear it prematurely?
1. I turned my grinder around and have it pointed toward a solid wall. I sharpen by looking down from above, and I have a strong light shining on the wheel surface to ensure I can see what's going on with the edge. I measured and marked out my angles on my motor's housing with a marker, this lets me (looking down from the top) reference where to hold the blade to achieve the angle I want (15, 20, 25 degrees).
2. First on the grit wheel, I have found that the grit feels very rough at first, when new, but after a little use, (maybe 10-15 440C steel knives,) the surface smooths out a bit. I'm using the wax sparingly, just a kiss rubbed on the wheel to produce some streaks. I sharpen, watch for the burr, watch for wax buildup on the blade, and immediately reapply wax lightly when I see the first spark. Is this good technique?
3. Pressure: How much pressure to use? When new, the wheel cuts instantly, (weight of the blade is all I need), do I need to apply a little more pressure to ensure even contact as the wheel ages to form the burr?
I also noticed that on some knives, I get a pronounced burr, maybe 1/4mm in length, on others, I can see the burr forming, but it seems to exist only for a second then disappear as the blade moves across the wheel's face. Is this just a difference in steels, or is my technique or equipment off? Lately, as the wheel is now, maybe 20 knives in, I'm finding I get a a rather thick burr forming, one that will catch on my fingernail as I draw it down the opposite side of the blade. I'm worried that isn't a burr at all, but is a bent-over edge.
So, does it sound like I've dulled my grit somehow? It will still remove metal, and the knife gets pretty sharp, but I'm not seeing that pronounced ribbon burr each time that tells me for sure.
3. Also on the grit wheel, is there anything wrong with cleaning it with a belt-sander dressing stick, essentially a giant india rubber eraser. I rub it on the wheel, and give it several new rubber edges, and I can see the wheel change color, going from dark to light gray. Turned off, I see no wax after cleaning and the wheel looks new, however, it clearly feels much smoother and with much less bite than when it's new with a fresh coating of grit.
I've recoated the grit wheel 2 times so far in the past 12 months. Does this sound like a normal wear interval, or am I doing something to wear it prematurely?