further sharpening suggestions

N4SIR

N4SIR

Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
1,507
ok people i got my DMT deluxe aligner guided system to use on my folders it comes with 4 stones
extra coarse (60 micron / 220 mesh)
coarse (45 micron / 325 mesh)
fine (25 micron / 600 mesh)
xtrafine (9 micron / 1200 mesh)

i was considering adding the

xxfine (3 micron / 8000 mesh)

and possibly a strop..


i would like to hear views on whether or not i should purchase the xxfine stone and or a strop and what kind etc ... i will be sharpening my EDC folders
 
I have the C/F (Blue/Red) and EF/EEF (Green/Tan) Dia-Folds, used with my Aligner/Magna-Guide. I do really like the EEF as a finishing hone. For stropping beyond that, the DMT Dia-Pastes in 6/3/1 micron, on leather or balsa would be (and are) my choice now. Just tried these out recently, and they work impressively. I even have a balsa block, with a simple piece of printer paper wrapped around it, to which I applied 1 micron paste (it was excess wiped from my leather strop). Even that works very well, and I've actually been using it a lot.
 
Last edited:
welll is it even necessary to go beyond the EEF stone? for daily edc boxes etc probably not right? (3 micron / 8000 mesh) is pretty darn fine IMO


i was thinking use the EEF stone and maybe strop on just leather or is the strop even necessary
 
furfmonkey said:
welll is it even necessary to go beyond the EEF stone? for daily edc boxes etc probably not right? (3 micron / 8000 mesh) is pretty darn fine IMO


i was thinking use the EEF stone and maybe strop on just leather or is the strop even necessary
Click to expand...

A bare leather strop is always good for burr removal. The EEF DMT will leave a wickedly-sharp edge on your knife, especially when applied using the Aligner. It's a VERY fine edge, but still with a lot of BITE. If you're not concerned about polishing your bevels, it'll serve you just fine. :thumbup:
 
the edge will be a working edge im not going for a mirror edge just needs to work like the tool a knife is i just thought using the EEF stone and a few passes on an old leather belt might help
 
I've generally had an addiction to polished bevels, but the first time I considered stopping short of that, was after I'd tried out the EEF DMT. Very nice edge, straight off of that hone. I'm sure you'll like it. :)
 
I've been wondering if there was much of a point to the 3 micron EEF stone. I've been eyeing it for a while, but there doesn't seem to be much of a point with my set of 6/3/1 micron DMT pastes. I believe knifenut also pointed out that a 6 micron strop is preferable between the EF and EEF stones due to the large jump in grit size.
 
Based on grit size alone, a 9/6/3 progression on equally hard hones would make obvious sense. But I'm doubting the 6 micron strop (presumably a backing that's considerably softer, like wood or leather) would cut nearly as aggressively as 6 microns on a hard hone. Compound will embed deeper in a softer backing, effectively reducing it's stated grit size. I've noticed a BIG difference in cutting aggressiveness, simply by putting the same compound on different backing media (such as the difference between leather and balsa). When I tried out my Aligner with the C/F/EF/EEF hones, the seemingly wide-jumping transition thru 45/25/9/3 micron actually produced a great edge. The 3 micron sounds quite small compared to the preceding 9 micron hone, but being on the standard steel & nickel hard backing, and at much higher density than compound on a strop, it still cuts very aggressively. Wouldn't surprise me if it performs just as well as 6 micron paste on a strop, in terms of erasing the 9 micron scratches. IF the ultimate goal is to polish the bevel, I wouldn't have any worries about that seemingly 'big' jump between the 9 and 3 micron hones, when followed up with the 6/3/1 micron paste on wood and/or leather strops.
 
Last edited:
I'd recommend the EEF hone followed by a bare horse leather strop. The EEF stone alone would be fine to finish with but of you want a strop a horse hide strop pairs nicely.
 
furfmonkey said:
welll is it even necessary to go beyond the EEF stone? for daily edc boxes etc probably not right? (3 micron / 8000 mesh) is pretty darn fine IMO


i was thinking use the EEF stone and maybe strop on just leather or is the strop even necessary
Click to expand...

For EDU on boxes and such I'd say the EEF is too fine. I'd actually say the EF is too fine. All depends on what you're doing and how frequently, but for my money give me an edge off the DMT fine, strop it on black compound, and maybe a couple of passes on the green compound. Makes for a real durable user and can be restored in minutes. Now if you're shooting for a wicked catchy face-shaving edge that'll cut you the instant your attention wanders, that's a different story. I have to say you should always strop no matter what. It is extremely difficult to tell if your edge is clean and burr-free without stropping, and going back to the stone every time it looses a step is no way to spend your time - a quick stropping works a lot better for maintenance.
 
Thank you for all the good ideas now can someone suggest me a decent strop i can use dry thats under $50 cheaper would be better ive spent like $400 in the last few days on knife oriented items...
 
furfmonkey said:
Thank you for all the good ideas now can someone suggest me a decent strop i can use dry thats under $50 cheaper would be better ive spent like $400 in the last few days on knife oriented items...
Click to expand...

A simple piece of veg-tanned cowhide, glued to a flat, smooth piece of wood can serve very well, for a LOT LESS than $50 (maybe $2 - $5 worth of materials, depending on where you get the leather). Assuming 'dry' means without compound? Even with compound, most or all will be used 'dry' anyway. The pastes/sprays (diamond or green) go on wet, but will dry in a relatively short time.
 
Last edited:
yeah im at a complete loss when it comes to strops ... i dont know if i need oils or pastes etc... i was looking at a horsehide strop with handle in the $25 range on the web green river makes it i believe at knifecenter now what should i put on the strop since im using a 3micron EEF stone

GRLHORSEHIDE.jpg
 
furfmonkey said:
yeah im at a complete loss when it comes to strops ... i dont know if i need oils or pastes etc... i was looking at a horsehide strop with handle in the $25 range on the web green river makes it i believe at knifecenter now what should i put on the strop since im using a 3micron EEF stone

GRLHORSEHIDE.jpg
Click to expand...

If that's a horsehide strop, use it bare. No compound. They're at their best when used 'as is'.

If you still want to use a compounded strop, simple veg-tanned cowhide is the better option (and a lot cheaper). Literally any piece, so long as it's relatively smooth & uniform in finish, will work with compound. As for which compound to use, I'd go with diamond as my first choice, probably the 3 micron and 1 micron paste, after your 3 micron EEF hone. DMT has it.
 
No compound is needed for that strop, the EEF hone will refine a edge far enough that the bare strop will have no troubles removing any micro burr and refining the edge. I use a similar barber strop myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top