Hairpopping

A

AlphalphaPB

Joined
Apr 29, 2002
Messages
1,273
Just stating an observation:

I did some major stropping of my 806D2 yesterday, and that thing pops hair like mad now. However, when I used it to cut a length of rubber tubing, it could barely slice at all. How embarassing.

I should leave some microserrations on my edge, since I slice most of the time. I should also rely less on hairpopping as a test of sharpness.
 
Yup, went crazy at the start of my knifemaking career. Stropped everything till it shaved - dive bombed individual hairs. A knife nerd's party trick ! But it would just bind up in everything else.

I presume yours was a factory knife ?

One way to get the best of both worlds is to use a fairly low grit edge grind, like 180grit or 240grit. Get it sharp, then strop just a few times. The edge will be bitey, yet shaving sharp. I'm assuming that at least some other will have access to a grinder.

Or use something like the Spyderco cermaic sticks. I only use the Grey (medium-fine) ones. It'll shave but still rips nicely.

Cheers.
 
AlphalphaPB,

Cutting rubber tubing, like radiator tubing is NOT easy even with a sharp knife. The rubber grabs on the sides of the blade and makes cutting difficult. I use rubber radiator hose as part of a drive coupling on one of my machines. It is TOUGH to cut but if you put a little oil on it, the knife will glide right through.


Neil
 
Yes, I noticed that the rubber was grabbing the side of the blade. Perhaps you're right, the cutting task might be hard for even "slicy" edges.

But I noticed that the edge, running it along a finger or slicing a stack of papers, didn't feel exactly as "sharp" as a less-stropped knife. It did, however, shave better than anything else I'd ever sharpened.

It's time I bought some more rubber tubing so that I can figure out what kind of edge will slice through the most easily.

edited to add:
Yes, Wasz, learning and experimenting with how to sharpen your knives is half the joy of being a knife nut. I've got the feeling that I have much to learn, especially since some folks around here can get their blades sharp enough to cut free-hanging hair!
 
We all have a lot to learn, that's why this forum is so much fun! Congrats on your sharpening! Every time I have a success and think that I have it all figured out, I have a setback, which make me continue the learning process.

The only thing that I have that will cut free-standing hair is my Dovo straight razor, and when I do that particular trick, it "sings". Really. It can be unnerving until you get used to it, I think it's asking for blood... :D
 
AlphalphaPB, put the tubing under tension and the blade will glide right through it when highly polished, there should be little of a slicing motion used. If the tubing cannot be stretched, then you will want a fairly coarse edge, or a serrated one, as you will have to use a sawing motion.

Highly polished edges perform well on a number of tasks, and poorly on others, same for coarse finished edges. Use both and in between, and figure out which compromise is best for you. Joe's idea of leaving the first inch or so coarse and the rest highly polished it something you might want to try as well, or variations on it.

-Cliff
 
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