Goodbye original edge, hello WEP

Maprik said:
You didn't have to buy a new one??:p
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I'll give ya a heck of a deal Map, I only need half and the car wax is sittin' right here:D

I'll tell ya this knife is crazy sharp. Use it constantly and stropped it maybe half a dozen times or so. Just did it today to freshen up the edge and it snapped right back to paper shredding/arm shaving lusciousness.

Did I mention, I LOVE this Knife:thumbup:
 
Only 2 payment of 49.99 right? :rolleyes:

Do you put one end of the belt under your foot and pull it tight over your other leg or do you keep it flat on a table. I always wonder about how the old barbers would strop on a flexible leather. I thought maybe it would be easier to keep the right angle that way?? I have a stropman strop but I feel like it's too short...
 
Maprik said:
Only 2 payment of 49.99 right? :rolleyes:

Do you put one end of the belt under your foot and pull it tight over your other leg or do you keep it flat on a table. I always wonder about how the old barbers would strop on a flexible leather. I thought maybe it would be easier to keep the right angle that way?? I have a stropman strop but I feel like it's too short...
Click to expand...

But if you order today!...........

Yes, I lay it on my workbench (to the left of my WEPS and where most of my photos are taken)
another GREAT strop is a FLAT piece of stock 3"x 12"x 1/2" then tightly attach a piece of denim (staple around edges)
then spray your sprays or use some green paste - Pow!
 
I'm gonna try that. That's what the Rockstead knife guy at the NYCKS was using on his knife....but he had a white paste....any idea what that paste is?
 
Maprik said:
I'm gonna try that. That's what the Rockstead knife guy at the NYCKS was using on his knife....but he had a white paste....any idea what that paste is?
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Not off the top of my head, probably a diamond paste. The diamond and/or green paste on the denim on a FLAT piece of stock is a game changer.
Stropping a quality blade is a time tested and true method of edged weapon maintenance.
Like it goes, " If it works, don't argue" or " If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Either way, maintain the edge and life is good.
 
Never get tired of How Amazing the XM18 is. Tactical knife, Spanto Blade and it's this sharp !
Nothing but stropping the Factory edge .....
20130124_174611.jpg
 
^^Awesome stropping. I've learned on stones, then EP, then paperwheels. Kept the paper wheels for the garage as it's useful for tools, broadheads, hunting knives, pocket knives & kitchen cutlery that I don't want to spend time sharpening, I can get light saber sharpness in minutes. With that said, I picked up the WEPS a few days ago as a secondary as it is the only system I've not used to this point. Recently I received a Hinderer that was pre-owned and the bevel was off. The wheels helped me correct it slightly as I'm a firm believer in removing the least amount of metal to achieve a sharp working edge. However the uneven bevel bothered me, although it had no impact on actual use.

Enter the WEPS. Using an angle cube and the upgraded package [riser, arms, etc], the bevel is now symmetrical light saber sharp & aesthetically pleasing. A few things I found useful so far.

1) Read and re-read the instructions on the WEPS site.
2) Download the log on the WEPS [Excel] and log all events, it will make touch ups and repeatable sharpening faster thereby removing less metal. [This is the true beauty of this system]
3) Search the WEPS data base for your knife that may have some close settings.
4) Use the chart that Maprik posted as a guide to move the knife forward or back in the vice - every knife is slightly different.
5) Use a sharpie. My skill at sharpening spiked when I started using a sharpie when learning on stones.
6) Get an Angle Cube. Move the arms near the desired angle and fine tune with the cube.
7) Added SiC Sandpaper to my Pro Pack 1 found in auto stores, cut & tape them with painters tape to the stones. My progress is 100-1000, SiC Paper 1000/1500/2000, then strop 5/3.5. I may later get other strops & sprays to get a better aesthetic finish, but using this progression is more than enough sharp for me and creates a high polish finish.
8) Have enough light in your work space to check you work and see what the edge is doing i.e. burr [use a Q-Tip to verify].
9) Take your time.

My settings XM18 3.5 Slicer
A.5 / Top / 20*

Recently received NIB Hinderer XM18. The factory edge is workable and more than capable for everyday use. However, the WEPS Hinderer is indeed a light saber. YMMV.
 
Pick up one of these too Mini 60x LED Pocket Microscope Jeweler Magnifier Adjustable Loupe on Amazon for $5. Clay recommended it and it's awesome. You can take a real close look at your edge and it really helps you to understand what your stones are doing to the edge as you progress through the grits. Seems a little superfluous but I feel like it's really helped me to understand what I am doing and what the "edge" is all about. Like a surfer needs to understand the reef, it's good to understand what you're doing to the edge on a microscopic level. I like looking at a perfect burr all the way down my blade before moving to the next set of stones. I plan on doing what Rubi's been doing with the strop though for as long as possible before putting my XM back on the WEPS.

Oh, and the iPhone app called iHandy level works just like the angle cube for getting your angle right on both sides.
 
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Magnification is indeed useful as is the sharpie. I am extremely pleased with how my EDC XM performs and can not over emphasize the importance of regular edge maintenance - not letting the edge get too far out of whack just makes life easier and more enjoyable. It's always ready and waiting for the call to duty.
I use my knife daily for something and if I were to guess I strop every week (maybe less) I check my edge more regularly just out of habit (and fun).
 
Maprik said:
Pick up one of these too Mini 60x LED Pocket Microscope Jeweler Magnifier Adjustable Loupe on Amazon for $5. Clay recommended it and it's awesome. You can take a real close look at your edge and it really helps you to understand what your stones are doing to the edge as you progress through the grits. Seems a little superfluous but I feel like it's really helped me to understand what I am doing and what the "edge" is all about. Like a surfer needs to understand the reef, it's good to understand what you're doing to the edge on a microscopic level. I like looking at a perfect burr all the way down my blade before moving to the next set of stones. I plan on doing what Rubi's been doing with the strop though for as long as possible before putting my XM back on the WEPS.

Oh, and the iPhone app called iHandy level works just like the angle cube for getting your angle right on both sides.
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Like the surfer analogy! Have a 10x, but will order that as well. I agree, I certainly have room to develop better stropping skills.

RubiconSS said:
Magnification is indeed useful as is the sharpie. I am extremely pleased with how my EDC XM performs and can not over emphasize the importance of regular edge maintenance - not letting the edge get too far out of whack just makes life easier and more enjoyable. It's always ready and waiting for the call to duty.
I use my knife daily for something and if I were to guess I strop every week (maybe less) I check my edge more regularly just out of habit (and fun).
Click to expand...

Agreed, fun > habit. Breaking out some old wheel polish and an old belt to go practice the "Rubi Way".
 
Another Great strop is a piece of denim afixed (tightly) to a piece of FLAT stock. Could be a leg off an old pair of jeans, the the stock can be pine or ply wood about 3-4" wide and 12-14" long. Tack or staple the denim around the sides and then utilize some diamond spray or other medium of stropping purpose.
I use the belt and polish.
I use light strokes tip to choil and stroking away (wish I could post a drawing) maybe I can.....

Ok, no teasing:)
20130125_150601.jpg
 
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That's a really good drawing - better than i could produce, what type of technique are you using to maintain the angle while stropping.
 
Just one side of the belt ( side I use is smooth other side is rough) strop away (as in pic) then I roll the knife and come back same path tip to choil.

I go by feel - when the knife is "right" you "feel" the edge on the leather. L I G H T stroke(s) and it only takes 4-5 per/side to go from ripping paper to slicing it like a light saber.

Hand "going out" when I'm doing for real, lighter grip than shown.
20130125_152035.jpg


Coming Back- Belt stays the same I just flipped the pic so the arrow didn't confuse.
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l8apex said:
That's a really good drawing - better than i could produce, what type of technique are you using to maintain the angle while stropping.
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I was told to angle the edge of the blade down into the strop at the very end of the strop until it starts to bite and then pull away smoothly, LIGHTLY, and quickly and hear the blade "whoosh". After a while I just sort of developed a "feel" and "hearing" for when the edge is at the right angle... But again, to start with you have to get an idea of what your angle looks like and pushing forward and lifting the angle of the blade until it bites into the nap of the leather is a good way to visualize it. Then you back off just a tiny bit and pull (or push)... And don't push down into the strop which could round your edge. Use almost no pressure other than the weight of the knife itself. That's what works for me.
 
Nice tips Rubi. I strop mine on a leather belt as well. Not sure if it 'needs' it after coming of the WEPS but it really does the trick- noticeable difference for sure.

20130125_152000.jpg
 
Just got a note from Kyle at WE that my new arms and pivots are in the mail! ;)
 
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