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First Hair Popping Edge - Thank you!

J

Jondllas311

Joined
Dec 2, 2014
Messages
135
I just wanted to say thanks to Jason B. and David for all of the great advice they have given regarding sharpening technique. I have been learning on my cheaper knives and finally got the confidence to try to sharpen my new ZT 0562cf today. It didn't really need it, but the edge came really toothy from the factory. It was still sharp as hell but I wanted to see what a higher grit finish would be like with the M390 blade.

Anyway, I went through my progression of DMT dia-sharp plates (coarse, fine and extra fine) then finished on my smooth leather strop with .5 micron diamond paste. The results were excellent. I love this steel!!!

I love this forum because of the incredible amount of knowledge and experience that is shared. I just wanted to say thanks because I think too often the advice is taken but the results are not always posted. It's taken a lot of practice for me to perfect my sharpening technique, but it is incredibly rewarding to pick up a new skill and finally get the results you've been after.

For those out there still working on achieving a great edge - don't give up. And don't think that you have to go after the newest "device" to get there. I have a Sharpmaker and I really like it for maintenance, but there is nothing better than freehand (in my opinion). Like anything it just takes consistent practice to get good at it.
 
Excellent post. Good on you for thanking these good gents who so generously share their knowledge here on the forum.

Glad you got the results you were looking for, and glad you posted about it.

Andrew
 
Good for you. Did you reprofile it or stay with the factory angle?

How long did it take you?
 
Thanks Andrew!

@HRH - I stayed with the factory angle. It was crazy sharp from the factory and held the edge so well that I didn't want to reprofile. In total it took me about an hour. It probably could have been quicker, but I stayed on the fine and ef stones for quite a while just to make sure I completely removed the scratches from the previous stones. I then stayed on the strop for a while too. I know the general consensus is 20 passes on the strop should get you there, but I did 60. I know my technique isn't perfect yet, but it's a vast improvement from where I started a few months ago.

My experience is still pretty limited, especially with "super steels". I've got a PM2 with S30V, but the M390 in my ZT is completely different. In the same amount of time, on the same stones, the M390 comes out much, much sharper and it seems to hold the edge significantly longer too. I'm literally blown away by this blade steel.
 
Must of took some liquid courage to take a coarse diamond bench stone to that excellent 562 edge.:eek:
 
Bludgeon said:
Must of took some liquid courage to take a coarse diamond bench stone to that excellent 562 edge.:eek:
Click to expand...

Lol - I really wasn't too worried. I felt like I was decent enough to not completely butcher the edge. But if I did totally screw it up I could have it sharpened by a pro.
 
Happy to be of assistance :) and glad to hear of your success!
 
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