Few more Questions about Apex

B

beakman

Joined
Dec 21, 2005
Messages
29
Gentlemen I bring You Greetings,

I seem to be getting the hang of things with the Apex. I actually
sharpened a half way descent blade to a relatively nice edge. My question this time is there any way to improve on this. I've seen posts about different grade film that can be applied to the blanks for better polishing or take the edge to the next step.
Ben says not to strop. I believe you all have heard this from him.
So what is the next step, or aren't there any.

Thanks for the Help,
Eric
 
I've been experimenting with different holds on the blade table, like blade flat to table or ricasso flat to table. I haven't done much with the standard 1000 and 3000 polishing tapes yet. I think I've been able to improve my results by adding some sharpmaker strokes with ultrafine stones as a final step. The sharpmaker is easier to finess than the edgepro stone arm. Experiments with stropping on leather charged with Chromium Oxide (0.5 micron) haven't added much yet.
 
This is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth....

I'd worry less about going to polish tapes and more about refining the edge at the 320 level and then the 600 grit level. With 320 you can shave hair maybe not the best in the world but it's doable. At the 600 grit level you can shave hair above the skin. Worry more blade control on the table so that the blade is stable, stability equals sharper edges. Worry about not creating a burr and burr removal next.

The biggest draw back that most people encounter is burr removal. If you have any kind of a burr using polish tapes is almost a waste of time. Unless they are too fine to feel or almost see under a 20X loupe. Burrs will skin, peel, or cut a polish tape faster than you can say damn.

When you are getting burr free edges at the 600 level then go on to the polish tapes. There are a lot of sources for polishing film. You can get the polishing tapes directly from EdgePro per cut to size EdgePro offerings in 12µ, 3µ, 1µ and 0.5µ (the last two are not shown on their website but are available from EP). Or buy whole sheets from various suppliers. Tools for Woodworking, RS Huges etc.
 
Hey Eric,

It doesn't directly answer your question, but I've started an Edge Pro Tips section on my website that you may want to bookmark for future reference.

cbw
 
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