Edge Pro Polishing Tapes - Is it used just like stropping?

mauiblue

mauiblue

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Aug 1, 2006
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I've had my Edge Pro Professional kit for over a month now. I've just used the water stones to get a keen edge on my blades from kitchen knives to my folders. Included in the kit is 1000 and 3000 grit polishing tapes. Would these polishing tapes give me the same results as stropping on leather with polishing compound?
 
The polishing tapes will give a fine mirror edge. Stropping on a piece of leather with polishing compound would give you a slight convex edge that you couldn't get with the EdgePro alone. The level of polishing from either method is probably similiar. I generally set the angle and sharpen up to 4K with my EdgePro. I do touch ups with a Spyderco Sharpmaker and strop with a 1x42 belt grinder with a leather belt and polishing compound.
 
Thanks ElectricZombie for your response. I just tried using the polishing tapes on my Edge Pro. Wow, what gleaming, polished edge you get from using the tapes! This is the first time that I've used the polishing tapes and what a difference in sharpness it gives. I also have a stroping block coming in from KnifePlus so I will be able to see the difference in stroping and polishing.
 
Yeah, those polishing tapes will put an amazing edge on a blade. The EdgePro is great, but it takes a little while to get it set up and dial in the angle. Stopping is usually good enough to touch up an edge, and doesn't require the setup of the EdgePro. I've actually found that it is possible to get a knife "too sharp." After you keep polishing the edge for so long, it doesn't want to "bite" into material and will slip off whatever you are cutting. This is most apparent when you are cutting things like poly rope, hose, etc.
 
On my multi blade folders I usually have one or two highly polished ones and the others with a courser grain (where I stop after the 220 grit stone for the edge pro) . This gives me a better variety for cutting things like the poly rope, rags, and other softer materials a more aggressive slicing edge is good for. The high polished one are more push cut knives and will be good for whittling, carving wood, or other more delicate controlled tasks of this nature where not much movement (slicing motion) is wanted or possible.

I've found the polish tapes work well but I seem to get a little better result with the leather strop and the flex cut polishing compound although it does take longer to achieve.

STR
 
When the blade starts 'slipping' (assuming it is still sharp and not just rounded off) you know you have polished off the last of the micro-serrations. You can check this using the end of a fingernail run along the blade.
Some jobs are better done with a toothy edge, some with a polished edge. It pays to match the edge to the job. Usually slicing is easier with some teeth, push cutting is easier with a smooth edge.
All else being equal (and when is it?) a polished edge will be more durable than micro-serrations.
Greg
 
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