Best method for edge maintenance post paper wheel?

[parsnip]

Hi All,

I bit the bullet and got a paper wheel set up, and I'm in love. Everything is hair popping sharp. Now the question is: what method do I want to use to maintain the edge?

Criterion: It's gotta be dry (ie, not a water or oil stone), able to be used in a messy environment (kitchen, mid work flow, so probably not card stock or leather w/ polishing compound) and quick. In the middle of butchering a deer, or prepping a meal, I want to be able to grab it, take a few swipes, and move on. Also, I'm not a collector w/ fancy or handmade knives, but I don't want to be outright abusive to the good tools I have.

My gut is the right solution is a 12" fine ceramic rod from messermeister or idahone. But I'm open to other suggestions, including a flat version of it. What do you all think?

Thanks!

 

[c7m2p3]

Hi All,

I bit the bullet and got a paper wheel set up, and I'm in love. Everything is hair popping sharp. Now the question is: what method do I want to use to maintain the edge?

Criterion: It's gotta be dry (ie, not a water or oil stone), able to be used in a messy environment (kitchen, mid work flow, so probably not card stock or leather w/ polishing compound) and quick. In the middle of butchering a deer, or prepping a meal, I want to be able to grab it, take a few swipes, and move on. Also, I'm not a collector w/ fancy or handmade knives, but I don't want to be outright abusive to the good tools I have.

My gut is the right solution is a 12" fine ceramic rod from messermeister or idahone. But I'm open to other suggestions, including a flat version of it. What do you all think?

Thanks!

Strop or ceramic is going to do you just fine in between taking it to the paper wheel. My instinct is actually to go with the strop over ceramic due to the slight convex edge you would be putting on your knives using the paper wheel may actually be easier to strop back to form also in a convex fashion as opposed to maintaining your edge on a harder flat ceramic that is going to want to put more of a V grind on the apex. Load up a smaller cheap paddle strop with some diamond spray or paste and that should do pretty well on keeping things cutting.

 

[3D Anvil]

Ceramic rod is probably the best choice under your criteria.

Personally I don't like them because I find it hard to hit the right angle with a rod. The contact point is just too small.

 

[parsnip]

Strop or ceramic is going to do you just fine in between taking it to the paper wheel. My instinct is actually to go with the strop over ceramic due to the slight convex edge you would be putting on your knives using the paper wheel may actually be easier to strop back to form also in a convex fashion as opposed to maintaining your edge on a harder flat ceramic that is going to want to put more of a V grind on the apex. Load up a smaller cheap paddle strop with some diamond spray or paste and that should do pretty well on keeping things cutting.

Cool. Thanks. Do you think that a strop can work in an active kitchen environment without constantly cleaning and drying the knives before use?

 

[jnaught]

It is substantially more expensive than a ceramic rod, but I have one of the Nano-Hone diamond strops and absolutely love it for edge finishing and maintenance. Our household kitchen knives go months between sharpenings with just occasional stropping on it. It can be used wet or dry. I use it dry.

 

[c7m2p3]

Cool. Thanks. Do you think that a strop can work in an active kitchen environment without constantly cleaning and drying the knives before use?

I think it can just keep it hanging up or in a drawer somewhere. Important to note, technically no matter what you are doing you should be at least rinsing the knife afterwards if you are planning on cutting food with it.....even a ceramic hone can have small metal particles and shavings left behind after use that you probably dont want to be ingesting

 

[parsnip]

It is substantially more expensive than a ceramic rod, but I have one of the Nano-Hone diamond strops and absolutely love it for edge finishing and maintenance. Our household kitchen knives go months between sharpenings with just occasional stropping on it. It can be used wet or dry. I use it dry.

that looks sweet, but out of price range for me for this.

 

[jnaught]

that looks sweet, but out of price range for me for this.

Yeah, they're high. I got mine on sale at Blade Show last year, but it still wasn't cheap. Lots of folks around here use balsawood strops, but I bet the idea would apply generally to wood substrates. Maybe a pine or similar softer wood dowel with some compound or diamond paste on it? Just a thought.

 

[parsnip]

Funny, I was in the process of asking about that as an idea when your note popped up. I think that's what I'm going to try. Also, that way I won't worry about getting it wet or gross, as I can just wash it off. I might try a dowel too, as a makeshift rod. Anyone try that?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Funny, I was in the process of asking about that as an idea when your note popped up. I think that's what I'm going to try. Also, that way I won't worry about getting it wet or gross, as I can just wash it off. I might try a dowel too, as a makeshift rod. Anyone try that?

Dowels work well as a stropping tool. Rub some compound into the wood and go for it, edge-trailing as with a strop.

A short length of PVC pipe can work the same way. Some stick/crayon compound can be rubbed into that and the compound will imbed in the PVC. I've used white rouge compound in this manner - it doesn't show visibly, when rubbing it onto the PVC. But the swarf trails left when you use it will verify it's there and working (pic below).

 

[parsnip]

Awesome. This is super

Dowels work well as a stropping tool. Rub some compound into the wood and go for it, edge-trailing as with strop.

A short length of PVC pipe can work the same way. Some stick/crayon compound can be rubbed into that and the compound will imbed in the PVC. I've used white rouge compound in this manner - it doesn't show visibly, when rubbing it onto the PVC. But the swarf trails left when you use it will verify it's there and working (pic below).

awesome. this is super helpful. thanks!

 

[garry3]

Hi All,

I bit the bullet and got a paper wheel set up, and I'm in love. Everything is hair popping sharp. Now the question is: what method do I want to use to maintain the edge?

Criterion: It's gotta be dry (ie, not a water or oil stone), able to be used in a messy environment (kitchen, mid work flow, so probably not card stock or leather w/ polishing compound) and quick. In the middle of butchering a deer, or prepping a meal, I want to be able to grab it, take a few swipes, and move on. Also, I'm not a collector w/ fancy or handmade knives, but I don't want to be outright abusive to the good tools I have.

My gut is the right solution is a 12" fine ceramic rod from messermeister or idahone. But I'm open to other suggestions, including a flat version of it. What do you all think?

Thanks!

In my experience polished edges aren't so great for butchering duties. Maybe them edges will hold up with some of the super steels I don't know. I bone out everything in the field except the hind quarters and do my own butchering at home.
I don't need anything more than a Smith's DCS4 but a plate is a little nicer for home use. I'm not taking the time to fool around with polished edges or high grit stones. YMMV