Diasharp extra fine bumpy?

F

fallingspeaker

Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
17
Hello, I've gotten a diasharp fine and xtra fine and was learning some freehand. When I get to the extra fine, I feel that it has periodic bumps that snag my edge.

Is it a defect in the stone or a defect in my skills at the previous stone? Under a microscope at 60x, I can see detents pushed to one side or the other in the edge. Like a pothole on one side, and on the other a raised bump. Were these already there to begin with at the coarser stone and just hidden in crud or do they appear at the finer stone?

Thanks in advance.
 
When new they feel rough until the excess diamonds wear away. Snagging of the edge can happen in this beginning stage but that's more a problem of using too much pressure. Just the weight of the blade is all that's needed and will help you to keep a more consistent angle.
 
how many knives have you sharpened on the diasharp? is it new? do you put water on the stone when using it? how often do you clean it off?
 
I was hoping you'd read my thread knifenut!

I trust what you say, but I also feel the less pressure I use, the more it snags. Maybe 3-4 times in a stroke. Depends tho, I do feel that its getting better.

I'll keep at it!

Oh and thanks for all the teaching you've given me over the past couple of weeks.
 
Sounds like they just need some break-in time.

Under running water in your sink rub the stones together for 5-10 seconds at a time, USE NO PRESSURE. Do it two or three times then test sharpen a blade, you can do it more if needed but I wouldn't go overboard.

Use of soapy water helps when using the fine grade of stones for extended periods but is not something that is needed. Regular cleaning with soap and water after use is recommended but I'd also suggest barkeepersfriend occasionally to get out the imbedded metal. Before use wipe your hand down the stone, this clears any dust or dirt that may have settled on the surface. This is something you will easily notice when your stones smooth out more, if you forget to wipe the plate before use it will feel like sand on the stone when sharpening.

Right now your stones probably feel very aggressive and leave a dull finish. About 20 uses and some rubbing the stones together and they will take on a smooth feel with a much brighter finish. Sharper edges too.
 
when i use diamond, as i sharpen, i occasionally put the diamond stone under water and run my palm over it to clear off any metal particles.
 
I clean them running under warm water and using a sponge with soap to rub/wash.

Knifenut, what do you mean by rubbing the two stones together? You mean rubbing my fine and extra fine faces against eachother to try and smooth out the hot spots?
 
Yes, its a method recommended by DMT for initial break-in. Softly rubbing the stones together will help to smooth them out.
 
Ok, if its a method recommended by dmt then I will try it out.

On a side note, I was planning on getting a strop and the green stuff. Is there a grit between extra fine and green stuff that I should be working towards? I guess, is the jump in grit too big?
 
The green stuff (chromium oxide) is 0.5 microns or 50,000 grit. It will tune up the edge a bit from the EF or EEF but will not work to full effect because of the 40k+ grit jump. Still will make good improvement to sharpness though.
 
fallingspeaker said:
On a side note, I was planning on getting a strop and the green stuff. Is there a grit between extra fine and green stuff that I should be working towards? I guess, is the jump in grit too big?
Click to expand...

what are you trying to achieve? what are you sharpening?
 
I will get the green stuff and a strop. If my sharpening refines and gets better, then i'll look into the EEF stone.

I am trying to achieve freehand tree topping. I sharpen knives. Folders, kitchen, survival.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
knifenut1013 said:
The green stuff (chromium oxide) is 0.5 microns or 50,000 grit. It will tune up the edge a bit from the EF or EEF but will not work to full effect because of the 40k+ grit jump. Still will make good improvement to sharpness though.
Click to expand...

^ i also agree with this.

fallingspeaker, are you removing the knife's burr before you move to the extra fine stone?
 
To my knowledge I am. I work the fine stone and periodically test edge and look under microscope. Then I go to 1 pass each side alternating using lighter and lighter strokes. I'm not in tune enough to feel the burr, but microscope isn't showing me much of it (if I even know what i'm looking for).

Had my pacific salt push cut (roughly) through paper and whittle hair. I'm happy with those results for only using stones for a few times.
 
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