Got it sharp, want it even sharper?

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Hey guys. First post here, and I hope I can get some good advice. I recently got a sharpmaker and it has done wonders for my HEST and tenacious. Both are shaving sharp - but what can I do to take them to the next level of sharpness?

Is there anything relatively simple that will really make the edge that much better? Thanks for helping.

 

[singularity35]

Get the UF rods.

Barring that, use the lightest touch possible on the rods. Really try to keep your angles consistent. You'll be having hair splitting in no time.

 

[Golddust]

Use UF rods then strop the crap out of it.

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Use UF rods then strop the crap out of it.

At the risk of sounding ignorant, how do I strop it? Will I need some special materials or just things I have around the house?

 

[Jason B.]

The most important thing is to correctly establish a bevel with coarse grits. After that its all refinement of a scratch pattern.

 

[Golddust]

Stropping is actually much easier than it looks and you can make a very cheap homemade using this along with some sort of stropping compound to make it more efficient.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

I moved this to our Maintenance forum, where we discuss sharpening. Look around or search for "strop" -- it's a great technique. Actually, the term describes different methods. For example, sharpening is done edge first, stropping is done edge trailing.

One way to remove a burr from a knife you've just sharpened is to strop it lightly across the same stone you sharpened with.

Usually, stropping refers to using a leather strip that's been charged with an abrasive compound, like a barber touching up a straight razor.

 

[cziv]

Hey guys. First post here, and I hope I can get some good advice. I recently got a sharpmaker and it has done wonders for my HEST and tenacious. Both are shaving sharp - but what can I do to take them to the next level of sharpness?

Is there anything relatively simple that will really make the edge that much better? Thanks for helping.

Assuming you'll want to try the advice you've been given, this thread will show you how NOT to dull your knife with a strop.

It's very easy to un-do your sharpening chores if you don't strop correctly.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=750008

 

[CrimsonTideShooter]

Thanks guys I will read the links provided and if I get confused again I promise I'll bother y'all with another question.

 

[Handwrecker]

What compound does everyone recommend after the ultra fine rods? 1 micron? .5 micron? I heard the ultra fine rods were equivalent to 3 micron, so just curious.