Get a hair poppin' edge on my Trail Hawk?

D

Drummertist

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Jan 16, 2011
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Hey everyone. I'm trying to get a shaving sharp (or close to it) convex edge on my Trail Hawk. I used a file along with 3M course, medium and fine emery cloth and 600 grit emery cloth. I've got the shape I want with those but heard by this time it should have a "wire edge". Mine doesn't and it's dull.

I watched BLUNTRUTH4U's youtube how-to and he got his (knife) sharp without a sharpening stone using the sandpaper and honing method. I followed what he did but it didn't work.
Linky...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBBK-8tgmNI

What is the secret to getting it hair poppin' sharp? My brother has a diamond stone and my father has a regular sharpening stone...should I use one of those to get the edge sharp? Is the grit not fine enough (it was the finest I could find at my local Lowes Home Improvement)?

With the fine grit on a mousepad, I'm angling about 25 degrees and rotating as I pull it down (to get the whole edge). Then, flipping it. Is this correct?

Ugh. This is frustrating. At least I got the shape right.
 
If you flip it after each pass you wont get the wire edge. Every time you flip it you push/fold that edge back over. 600 grit will give a very fine wire edge and can be hard to see.

Strop one side 5-10 passes. If the edge is fine enough this should raise the edge so you can just barley feel it with your finger nail on the opposite side. (rub across the bevel from back to front along the flat of the bit.) It will be just a slight catch as you pass along the cutting edge. Keep working the one side until you feel it.

Turn the head over and give the other side the same amount of strokes to even every thing out. This will raise the edge to the other side.

From that point you can 'start the count down'. 5-6 strokes on each side followed by 3-4 strokes each......an so on.

I keep a small block of wood handy when sharpening to drag (just cut) the edge along to knock the 'Wire edge' off each time I change to the next finer grit.

I finish off with a leather strap or pad with or with out compound.

hope that helps. It is easier to show than explain.
 
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This is confusing. Thanks though! :confused:

EDIT: Okay, I got it roughly* shaving paper now. Not shaving sharp but I'm getting there.

Should I do both sides on the sandpaper, then go do both sides on the strop?
Or should I do one side on the sandpaper then one side on the strop?
Or one side on the sandpaper and both sides on the stop? (using your 10, 5, 3, 1 strop method of course)
 
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You should not move on to the sandpaper until you get a wire edge with the file. This is the important bit. Always work up a burr with your coarsest abrasive.
Work on one side with the file until you get a burr, then flip over to the other side. Work the second side and then progress onto the sandpapaper.
Keep the edge thin and don't use too much pressure, or you will round the edge.
 
Sharpen one side of the blade until you feel a ridge on the opposite side.

Flip to other side

Repeat the same amount of strokes on that side.

Flip to first side.

4-6 strokes on this (the first) side.

Flip and repeat 4-6 stroks opposit side.

Repeat with 2-5 strokes. (both sides)

repeat with 1-2 strokes. (both sides)

Should be sharp.
 
Should I do both sides on the sandpaper, then go do both sides on the strop?
Or should I do one side on the sandpaper then one side on the strop?
Or one side on the sandpaper and both sides on the stop? (using your 10, 5, 3, 1 strop method of course)
Click to expand...


finish both sides until there uniform before moving on th the next finer paper or strop.
 
I've also been frustrated with trying to get my blades sharp so thanks for asking the question .. . .... and thanks for all of the detailed responses I'm reading right along!
 
i am finding out myself about the burr....its all in getting the burr....then getting rid of it. thats even trickier. i am still a long way off from hair popping thou
 
larm said:
i am still a long way off from hair popping thou
Click to expand...

So am I. I can't seem to get it right. Anyone know of any good videos that may help?


GUN SNOB said:
(1st) Sharpen one side of the blade until you feel a ridge on the opposite side.

Flip to other side

(2nd) Repeat the same amount of strokes on that side.

Flip to first side.

(3rd) 4-6 strokes on this (the first) side.

Flip and repeat 4-6 stroks opposit side.

(4th) Repeat with 2-5 strokes. (both sides)

(5th) repeat with 1-2 strokes. (both sides)

Should be sharp.
Click to expand...

How much pressure should I use on the 1st and 2nd part (on the sandpaper)?
How much pressure should I use on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th part (on the strop)?
 
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How much pressure should I use on the 1st and 2nd part (on the sandpaper)?
How much pressure should I use on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th part (on the strop)?
Click to expand...

When you are happy with the shape you are looking to polish the cutting surface. Weight of the blade is the rule of thumb but you need to work with that guide to find the right feel. If you use to much pressure you will roll the edge and make it duller.
 
I sharpen my axes and hatchets to shaving sharp with the sandpaper method, but they won't shave hair or cleanly cut paper unless you strop them with leather and a stropping compound like Flexcut Gold, which is what I use. The strop makes all the difference in the world provided the sharpening was done properly on the sandpaper first. Stropping helps it to keep the edge longer as well, as it give a high polish to the steel at the edge.
 
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