Edge Pro Users

Chang

Chang

Joined
Oct 9, 1998
Messages
1,767
Hey guys, I've noticed that on my Edge Pro Apex with the upgrades, that the polishing tape gets cut into and stuff and it gets all potholed and it will scratch the edge bevel leaving an inconsistant mirror finish.

I've just experimented with some stuff and it works very well. If you cover the blank with three layers of masking tape, then use a white rouge bar on the last layer, then use that in a reverse motion in the rig, it will polish the edge but not scratch the edge bevel. Remove the top layer after you are done with the white rouge, and charge the second layer with red rouge and use that to polish. The bottom layer remains there as a safety so the edge doesn't scrape against the blank if the top two layers are cut. Remember, backwards motion like you were stropping. Do all this after you finish getting a good solid finish with the 600-grit water stone. I'm sure other polishing compounds could be used, but I don't have any others. Anyone want to try this and see how the other compounds work?
 
Hehe. Just use the polishing tape in reverse. Or use the compounds - whichever you prefer.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 09-27-2000).]
 
The polishing tape still gets cut into even in reverse. Especially when I do the tip area, the tip pokes it.

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
Oh, and more strange sharpening technique. I found that when the edge is too finely polished by tapes or compounds, it has no bite. I found that you can keep the shaving sharp hair cutting edge, yet retain the same bite by stropping on the color photographs from newspapers.

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
Use less pressure, I guess. I dunno. I like coarser edges, so I don't really have any experience with the tapes, but it doesn't seem like they should be getting cut. I think I may try my hand at doing a super-duper-shave-from-five-feet edge on something, just to see how sharp I can get it.

--JB

P.S. All my knives fail the hanging-toilet-paper test, and I'm proud of it!
smile.gif


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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
I've been using my Apex for a year and I find that if I reverse the stroke for the polishig tapes I have no problems with the tape getting cut, the trick is smooth motion and light pressure.

As for the back of bite, you'll get that on just about any knife when you polish the edge. You almost totally remove the micro-serrations leaving a smooth toothless edge. It's a trade off.
 
Most of the heavy work is done by my 220 grit, then lighter with the 320, and lighter still with the 660. I don't press hard when I begin polishing, and I get bulk packages of the 4000 series tapes from Ben Dale as a favor, and they are mighty thin! I agree about the smoothness; I like a polished edge for my "blue-jeans" knife, but I might stop on the 320 for a hunting knife. My wife has tried both edges for vegetables, and prefers a polished edge for tomatoes. She likes a "toothy" edge for cubing semi-thawed meat.--OKG
 
On the polishing tape getting cut up.. i've noticed that it gets sliced up at the edges,and then doesn't get any worse. In other words, the tape remains only in the center portion of the blank. After that, it seems to work ok.

I'll have to try the trick with masking tape loaded with rouge.

When is Ben coming out with wetstones in higher grit?


 
It's been my experience that Ben will send you anything you ask for. For example, when he was 'phasing out' 4000 series tape, he bought me a whole sheet and cut it for me. I also had a bit of a problem in getting to the 'hollow spot' right in front of the serrations of an Emerson Commander. Ben sent me a 'half size' 220 grit and a 'half size' aluminum mount for polishing tape. He answers E-mails within 24 hours--personally. I think the guy is great, and he deserves our business and support.--OKG
 
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