Ceramic rod vs strop

[timelinex]

I bought a Messermeister Ceramic Rod but realized I may have no need for it. Is there any reason for me to keep and use the rod versus occasionally using my strop? It seems like the only advantage of the rod is accessibility and ease of use in a professional setting?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

There are varying degrees of effectiveness with most any tool you might use to maintain your edges, depending on the existing condition of the edge when you're trying to tune it up. You might find that you can maintain your edge with a strop most of the time. But there'll be occasions when the strop may fall just short of putting enough bite back into an edge. With extended use and many touch-ups, strops tend to eventually polish a lot of the 'bite' out of an edge. At times like that, you might find the rod to be perfect for that 'little bit more' needed to get it done in the moment. You might also find that the character of the edge, coming off the rod, might be preferable to what you get from a strop, at times.

Point being, the strop isn't always an ideal substitute for the rod, and the rod may not always be the ideal substitute for the strop. Each has it's own uses.

 

[timelinex]

There are varying degrees of effectiveness with most any tool you might use to maintain your edges, depending on the existing condition of the edge when you're trying to tune it up. You might find that you can maintain your edge with a strop most of the time. But there'll be occasions when the strop may fall just short of putting enough bite back into an edge. With extended use and many touch-ups, strops tend to eventually polish a lot of the 'bite' out of an edge. At times like that, you might find the rod to be perfect for that 'little bit more' needed to get it done in the moment. You might also find that the character of the edge, coming off the rod, might be preferable to what you get from a strop, at times.

Point being, the strop isn't always an ideal substitute for the rod, and the rod may not always be the ideal substitute for the strop. Each has it's own uses.

OK, just to clarify though. If the strop doesn't cut it, I can also just go back to my extra fine DMT stone and that can substitute for the rod right?

I know taking out the stone is marginally more work than just using a rod, but to be honest, I feel like I'm not sure I can can hold an edge on the rod better than on a flat stone?

 

[Craig James]

I use my stones, strop, and diamond rod dependant on the need.

Strop is always used for deburring, however careful I am on the stones I always find I get a sharper edge by putting it on the strop.

My diamond rod is great for realigning an edge that has been used prior to finishing on the strop.

If I could be arsed imo the better way of recovering an edge will always be back to the stone followed by some deburring steps on the strop. Saying that I use my diamond rod a lot quite simply because it is easier and quicker to pull that out rather than messing about with stones.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

OK, just to clarify though. If the strop doesn't cut it, I can also just go back to my extra fine DMT stone and that can substitute for the rod right?

I know taking out the stone is marginally more work than just using a rod, but to be honest, I feel like I'm not sure I can can hold an edge on the rod better than on a flat stone?

You can go back to the stone of your choice, if you prefer it.

One thing I like about having several options is, sometimes one in particular will perfectly suit a given task with a given knife. That's sort of what I was alluding to in my earlier reply, in reference to the varying degrees in how they work and the unique character imparted to the blade's edge by each option. It takes some time using each of them, to see what the advantages can be with each option. This is why I like to allow some time to experiment with all the options, before writing any of them off.