Good tip for convex edge fans

[fishbulb]

I really like the way that a convex edge cuts, but in the past I've had trouble getting a good one using the recommended "mouse pad" method.

I tried something different today and I am very happy with the results.

Instead of using a mouse pad I used the edge of a telephone book with some 400 grit sandpaper, and the knives that I have tried this on got a screaming sharp convex edge in a very short time.

My best guess is that the phone book has enough give that the sand paper can get the correct convex shape, but since it's much stiffer than a mouse pad you can also press down harder and remove material faster.

Anybody else tried this?

 

[Jason Cutter]

Anything soft as a backing behind a sanding medium will cause "dishing" ie.- the convexity you're talking about. When stropping and edge with a leather strop, the same thing happens. The harder the material, the flatter the edge bevel.

I think your thinking is excellent. Too many people these days rely on jigs and specialised equipment to sharpen their knives. Thats not a problem, but the simple techniques seem to have gotten lost. The phone book method is great. So is the mouse pad one. Who knows, someone might actually want the kind of edge profile the mouse pad gives.

You might also be able to get a scary sharp convex edge with 400grit on the phone book, then going to 1200grit on the mouse pad. That'll give a nice appleseed edge. Cheers. Jason.