Edge Pro Scratches

GarrettWeidman

GarrettWeidman

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
957
I just got my Edge pro apex and while I am getting very good results for only having it a day I am also getting scratches on the blade, the scratches are about in the middle of the blade. I have the painters tape on the table and I and trying to keep the table and blade as clean as possible, what can I do to eliminate these scratches while sharpening?
 
Two things that are 100%key to me on this subject-

#1) Why use blue tape? It Always comes off. Regular masking tape does not. I stopped using blue tape on the blade years ago, and will never go back. You guys can't tell me blue tape doesn't come off- at least sometimes, like when you have a longer session reprofiling. You couldn't make me go back to blue tape. It's worthless in this application. If you have a hard time getting it off use wd40, goof off, lighter fluid, whatever.I deplore re-masking.

#2) I take an old rifle case, not a nickel plated one, just a pure brass one, and set it on a grinder so that I grind the neck and shouter off until I'm left with a sharp edge of the case mouth. With this I cut the excess tape off from the tip of the blade to where the belly starts. I've been doing this for years, have Never scratched a blade, and you are left with a perfectly masked blade.
 
grizzled gizzard said:
Two things that are 100%key to me on this subject-

#1) Why use blue tape? It Always comes off. Regular masking tape does not. I stopped using blue tape on the blade years ago, and will never go back. You guys can't tell me blue tape doesn't come off- at least sometimes, like when you have a longer session reprofiling. You couldn't make me go back to blue tape. It's worthless in this application. If you have a hard time getting it off use wd40, goof off, lighter fluid, whatever.I deplore re-masking.

#2) I take an old rifle case, not a nickel plated one, just a pure brass one, and set it on a grinder so that I grind the neck and shouter off until I'm left with a sharp edge of the case mouth. With this I cut the excess tape off from the tip of the blade to where the belly starts. I've been doing this for years, have Never scratched a blade, and you are left with a perfectly masked blade.
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Yep, if you use a lot of water it will come off and once that happens you have already scratched the blade.

What I have found is that using less water AND changing the tape on the table out a few times I can get away from using the tape on the blades when sharpening. Results vary though and I only do that on my knives.

Reprofiling is different though.

If the blade does get some scratches on it I found that 2 or 3 mins with Mothers and they are gone.
 
The Mothers polish that everyone refers to on here, is this the standard mag wheel polish that Walmart sells?
 
Ankerson said:
If the blade does get some scratches on it I found that 2 or 3 mins with Mothers and they are gone.
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Good tip Mr. Ankerson, I didn't know that.

Which Mother's product is your favorite- for this and for polishing the edge?

How did that question get answered before I posted it? You got voo-doo around here? :D
 
I've never had the 3M blue painters tape come off, I use diamond exclusively though with a light machine oil smeared thin on the surface...different strokes I guess.
 
ricklee4570 said:
The Mothers polish that everyone refers to on here, is this the standard mag wheel polish that Walmart sells?
Click to expand...

grizzled gizzard said:
Good tip Mr. Ankerson, I didn't know that.

Which Mother's product is your favorite- for this and for polishing the edge?

How did that question get answered before I posted it? You got voo-doo around here? :D
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I use Mothers 5101 Mag & Aluminum Polish for both. :)
 
Robert.B said:
I've never had the 3M blue painters tape come off, I use diamond exclusively though with a light machine oil smeared thin on the surface...different strokes I guess.
Click to expand...

One of the main reasons I use regular masking tape, or "why the blue tape comes off", is that I like to rinse at least most the swarf off under the faucet. I just treat my own knives like my customers', and I am hyper-wary of scratches.

If you use minimum water, I must admit, the blue tape works fine. I just don't like to use the least amount of water that I can- I think more water is more better, but Definitely, to each his own.
 
Ankerson said:
I use Mothers 5101 Mag & Aluminum Polish for both. :)
Click to expand...

I researched this quite a while back, and Mother's makes quite a few polishes. Seems like I was stuck between billet aluminum polish and Mag wheel polish. Thank you for the product number, that will help. :D
 
grizzled gizzard said:
One of the main reasons I use regular masking tape, or "why the blue tape comes off", is that I like to rinse at least most the swarf off under the faucet. I just treat my own knives like my customers', and I am hyper-wary of scratches.

If you use minimum water, I must admit, the blue tape works fine. I just don't like to use the least amount of water that I can- I think more water is more better, but Definitely, to each his own.
Click to expand...

Yeah I dont use any water until the tape is already off and I soap the blade up to remove the oil and gunk...plus I got a box of 3M blue for free last year, more then I'll ever use but its come in handy.

Can totally see why you would use something that sticks a little more firm to the blade when you have a customers knife, and using water frequently. :)
 
And I can understand and respect your method as well. :)

I only have an XC and a F DMT, and I love that they produce little to virtually no swarf. Obviously, I'm using them just for reprofiling.

I think Ben's stones work very well, but if you compare the wear rate, and the amount of swarf (even the kind of swarf), I am really a big believer in the premium stones. I kid you not, I'd be surprised as all hell if serious sharpeners would go back. I kinda don't like to say that, because I really like Ben, but I go with what works best, and there's not much comparison.
 
I'm the odd man out, I don't even notice the scratches. I like the look of a well-used knife.
 
I'm certainly not saying that everyone needs to be persnickety. When you sharpen for other people though, you had better be carrying an expensive and perfect mirror finished blade that is truly Scary sharp. I love to see the facial expressions with wide eyes when someone checks out my knife. I can't get enough of that. Sometimes they pass it very gingerly around the room or whatever. That's the best!
 
I prefer not to tape the blade. But I do change the tape on the blade table frequently

I also use Mother's Mag Wheel and Aluminum polish.
 
GarrettWeidman said:
I just got my Edge pro apex and while I am getting very good results for only having it a day I am also getting scratches on the blade, the scratches are about in the middle of the blade. I have the painters tape on the table and I and trying to keep the table and blade as clean as possible, what can I do to eliminate these scratches while sharpening?
Click to expand...


That was a big part of the reason why I turned around and sold mine within a week and ordered the wicked edge.

I don't mind scratches, per se, but I'd just as soon they got there through honest use rather than being caused by a necessary maintenance operation!:barf:

Tim
 
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