Ceramic (Stone or Croc Stick)

[TedGamble]

I know that this should probably be in the gadget forum, but I highly respect the opinions of you esteemed professionals.

Which do you prefer for that final hair tip cutting finish? And, if you don't mind, please specify which brand. (And yes, I realize that this is one of those in which there will be more than one opinion, so all responses are welcome.)

 

[El Lobo]

Hello Ted,

I'll begin the onslaught....er, I mean offer my opinion, for what it might or might not be worth.

I have most every kind of hand sharpening/steeling gadget/object. But when touching up my Schrades, ( forum content.. ), I like to finish by stropping at an angle of 3 stacked pennies...spine leading, edge trailing...on the back of a legal pad. I know it's quite glamorous and space age/technical sounding... ....but if it's good enough for Ernie Emerson, it's good enough for El Lobo. I'll admit that this doesn't work as well on D2 or some of the newer powdered steels. For the few of those I use, I use ceramic or a flat piece/pane of glass to polish/finish the edge.

Next batter.....

Bill

 

[glennbad]

I'm not sure exactly what info you're looking for, Ted, but I'll give you my personal routine.

Lansky diamond's to reprofile and sharpen, and a strop sick (that is, a piece of flat wood with leather on it) with red rouge ground into it for the final touch.

Glenn

 

[Don Luis]

My name is Luis and I am a sharpoholic...

Step up through several grits up to extra or ultra fine to get a polished edge, then strop.

My finer hones are an extra fine ceramic and a couple of razor water stones (which I rarely use), the extra fine ceramic is great, so smooth, doesn't wear down and is easy to clean, I think I bought it some time in the mid 70's, it's by "Colorado Ceramics" which I could not find on the Web, I've heard Spyderco makes some very good ones:

http://spyderco.com/catalog/list.php?genre=sharpener

For stropping I mostly use paper or cardboard though I have an old dubl-duck barber strop and have made strops from old belts too.

I have had good results with the "sandpaper over mouse pad" method to get a convex edge, working from something like 300 grit up to 1500 grit, then stropping.

I know from experience that stropping on your jeans above the knee works well but wears your jeans down, also wives don't seem to like it when you rub polishing paste on your jeans.

A foam backed fingernail polishing file may work well for stropping and they also do a great job polishing bolsters. These are often found in ladies purses but it's best to get your own because they can get all dirty (the files) and mad (the ladies).

Luis