Frustrated with my apex 4.

kurtras said:
I had no idea that Sharpmaker had Ultrafine stones! I just ordered some a few minutes ago. I have been using Sharpmaker for years and I get my knives pretty sharp but I haven't been able to get them hair whittling sharp yet. Do you sharpen your edges on the 30 degree or 40 degree? I have always used the 40 degree (20 on each side) for years but yesterday after reading some posts here I switched to a 30 degree to get a sharper edge.
Click to expand...

Since I got my Edge Pro and can now match my bevels to the 30 degree angle, I prefer that angle for my S30V knives. For my tenacious and persistence, I use the 40 degree.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
Another update:


Overall I'm happy I'm getting better. Although I still have a long way to go.
Click to expand...

And that, sir, is true of all of us. :p:p

It took a tremendous amount of study, and practical experience for me to fully comprehend just how little I actually know about this subject.

Like history, the more you learn, the more you realize just how much more there still is to be learned! :thumbup::p:thumbup:
 
I have been sharpening for years and I thought I was not too bad...until I joined this forum that is!! Over the years I have given up trying to learn knife sharpening as a science and I am now convinced more than ever that it is an art that takes sooooo much practise. To the fellows who can whittle hair and push cut TP...you are like Michelangelo and I feel like a kid who just picked up the brush! But I love the pursuit of perfection and the thrill of achieving an incredibly sharp blade. I do not have any friends who share the same passion for knives as I do so I was left to enjoy them by myself and left attempting to explain to others (non-knife lovers) the wonderful details about the best tool in the world (I fail miserably at this!!!!!) but it was a wonderful find for me to stumble across this knife community and find others of like mind!

I really want to be able to achieve a hair whittling edge using a quasi-freehand sharpening system such as the sharpener and I was wondering how many of you have achieved this? For me I can never seem to get my edge as sharp as I want it but I love trying and don't seem to tire of practising over and over again!
 
A common mistake made by new owners is that they bear down too hard, put too much pressure on the stones.

The way the handle is set up it has a lot of leverage, let the stones do the work for you, ya don't have to push so hard, try it, you'll be amazed at the results.
 
I usually use the Edge Pro to do the grunt work settin' the bevel and sometimes I'll even take all the way to the polish tape but most of my works done freehand.

Ya just gotta practice, practice, practice, this is my sharpenin' equipment, minus about a half dozen bench water stones and diamond hones.

attachment.php
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I usually use the Edge Pro to do the grunt work settin' the bevel and sometimes I'll even take all the way to the polish tape but most of my works done freehand.

Ya just gotta practice, practice, practice, this is my sharpenin' equipment, minus about a half dozen bench water stones and diamond hones.

attachment.php
Click to expand...


Or you can just use the EP. :)

The hair is .0012" thick

Cropped_hair.jpg
 
Last edited:
The outer layer of hair is composed of overlapping cuticular scales, move your blade from the tip toward the base. If you aren't whittling the hair, try flipping it around.

a_Basic_Hair_struc_Xsec.jpg
 
hardheart said:
The outer layer of hair is composed of overlapping cuticular scales, move your blade from the tip toward the base. If you aren't whittling the hair, try flipping it around.

a_Basic_Hair_struc_Xsec.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh so that's how it looks. I know that it's easier to whittle hair one way and takes a sharper knife to whittle both ways. I was thinking it was because the hair was tapering and it's finer in the other end. Now I know why. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top