Best way to sharpen convex grind?

Ryan28801

Ryan28801

Joined
Aug 28, 2006
Messages
639
I've done searches and it keeps telling me "fatal error"....hope I get through the night.
Anyway, I got a convex ground comp. Hellrazor that I would like to get REALLY sharp, it came somewhat used. It isn't that dull, about average for what I've seen of the comp. models.
I have a Sharpmaker, an EdgePro and a strop. Am I going to have to reprofile the edge or what? Any suggestions on this would be really appreciated.

thanks, Ryan
 
I have used a strop and the green compound with great results. No need to reprofile the edge. You dont want to use the sharpmaker on a convexed edge because it is for a v edge. I dont know about the edge pro but I think it is for v edge also.
 
I use a mouse pad, foam pad, newsprint etc... with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper on top, after that I run it over a loaded strop, than plain leather. So all you need is an old belt, sandpaper, and polishing compound. An edgepro would be a catastrophe on your CE Hellrazor, sandpaper and a mousepad, wet the sandpaper and start sweeping, shouldnt take you any more than five minutes, cheap and effective.
 
GregS said:
I use a mouse pad, foam pad, newsprint etc... with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper on top, after that I run it over a loaded strop, than plain leather. So all you need is an old belt, sandpaper, and polishing compound. An edgepro would be a catastrophe on your CE Hellrazor, sandpaper and a mousepad, wet the sandpaper and start sweeping, shouldnt take you any more than five minutes, cheap and effective.
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When you "sweep," do you sweep into the edge like normal sharpening on a stone, and then when you strop, strop away from the edge as usual for stropping?
 
Sounds good, thanks guys...the strop compound, is that a wally world item, maybe a specialty hair supply shop, or internet item?

Mr. Horton, I think you'd recognize this shiny, somewhat modified HR.... ;-)
 
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Balislinger said:
When you "sweep," do you sweep into the edge like normal sharpening on a stone, and then when you strop, strop away from the edge as usual for stropping?
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Away from the edge like on a strop.:thumbup:
 
For aprox $39 you can get a Harbor Freight belt sander. Then order a couple belts from Lee Valley. With a little practice you will be getting razor sharp convex edges in no time...
sharpeningservice005fj7.jpg
 
dobywon said:
I have used a strop and the green compound with great results. No need to reprofile the edge. You dont want to use the sharpmaker on a convexed edge because it is for a v edge. I dont know about the edge pro but I think it is for v edge also.
Click to expand...

Your right about the Edge Pro, V edge only. :thumbup:
 
Ryan28801 said:
Sounds good, thanks guys...the strop compound, is that a wally world item, maybe a specialty hair supply shop, or internet item?

Mr. Horton, I think you'd recognize this shiny, somewhat modified HR.... ;-)
Click to expand...

Chunky peanut butter or Lee Valley green compound.
 
GregS said:
Chunky peanut butter or Lee Valley green compound.
Click to expand...

I'm still digging strawberry preserves out of my Lum folder. Maybe my best bet is google some driving directions to Lee Valley, git up there and start asking people where I can get some green stuff. Reckon' I'll end up in the hoosegow?

Seriously, I figgered I didn't want to reprofile it, but after 1 1/2 hrs of stropping and making minimal progress I was starting to wonder. Thanks for all the input....I have a buddy with a big belt sander and some of his belts are worn down to cotton, or whatever they build 'em out of. I may try a sweep or two on that.

For those of you recommending stropping, are you using a somewhat slack strop or leather nailed to a board? Doby, I see your leather block is solid....I have a barber's strop. Rawhide side, smooth leather side, and then a woven cotton strop, I can pull it towards me as tight or loose as I want....what am I looking for? I've been going just a little on the loose side...just a little. This is my first convex and I'd like to learn to strop it correctly so I can do it on the go. V-blades I got down I think, never used any compound though...does the convex hold better once you get it sharp?
 
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I use the mousepad and wet/dry sandpaper (320, 400, 600, etc). If you need it sharper than I can get it with that setup, you must be splitting atoms.
 
I use a loom strop. They are very convenient and you can control the tightness of the leather. there is a decent one at classicshaving .com

DOVOtensionStrop.jpg
 
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mymindisamob said:
I use the mousepad and wet/dry sandpaper (320, 400, 600, etc). If you need it sharper than I can get it with that setup, you must be splitting atoms.
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This raises a question that I haven't thought much about before. Do all you guys use sandpaper meant for metal work or sandpaper meant for wood work on your convex sharpening 'rigs'? I just grab what I happen to have around :D
 
Elen said:
This raises a question that I haven't thought much about before. Do all you guys use sandpaper meant for metal work or sandpaper meant for wood work on your convex sharpening 'rigs'? I just grab what I happen to have around :D
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Both will work to a degree. Emory Cloth or Wet/Dry work the most efficiently. I just wish 3M put their 900DZ line out in finer grit and full sheets. It is the best sandpaper in existence in my estimation. I use it for forming in all my wood/metal work.:thumbup:
 
OK, so convex edges are sharpened in the opposite direction that V edges are sharpened at. I'll stick to that clarification, unless you tell me I have it wrong.
 
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