Critique my sharpening technique

J

joepa150

Joined
Mar 15, 2010
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350
I have a Bester 1200, a King Ice Bear 4000, strop with black buffing compound, and a strop with green buffing compound. I have been using the sharpie trick and I use 2 quarters as a guide. I usually use the sharpening strokes that Dave uses on this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSyK67mqXEI but I sometimes just go with an tail to tip single stroke in an X pattern. Also my stones are perma soaked right now.

1) I start with Bester 1200 on one side using Daves style stroke (don't know the correct term) until I feel a burr on the opposite side. This usually takes me maybe 50 back and forth strokes.
2) Do the other side of blade on the bester 1200 for about 50 back and forth strokes until I feel the burr.
3) Pull blade across a soft piece of wood at a 90 degree angle using only the weight of the blade. I guess this helps deburr.
4) I alternate 1 stroke per side for maybe about 6 times a side.
5) I then alternate strokes with the King 4000 for about 15 strokes per side.

My blades feel sharp but not super sharp. Then usually won't shave hair.
Also should it feel like I am sliding the blade across the stone or a rougher feeling like I am almost shaving the stone.
 
Try skipping Step 3 and try again. Seems like that would do more harm than it helps. I can deburr with a Lansky white (1k grit IIRC) so the 4k stone should be able to do so too.
 
I'd be surprised if the pull through the board is removing the burr, unless you're using a board of some odd hardwood that has silica in it. Try a couple more passes on the 1200 at a very obtuse angle, like 40 degrees per side, or even LIGHTLY cut straight into the stone a couple of times. This will completely remove any burr. Also, you probably need more time on the finer stones, especially if you are using the same angle as you used on the 1200.
 
What condition was the edge in prior to sharpening, used, unused, damaged from daily use? what kind of steel? you probably need about a hours more work with the 1200.
 
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