Just a quick follow-up:
I spent some time with sandpaper and my strop, following the guidelines provided by the other members. The Lil’ Lady now has an even, super sharp edge and I have to say: I LOVE this knife!
It is the perfect size for edc. The handle fits my hand (medium on the large side, but not “fleshy”) perfectly. In terms of its dimensions (handle, blade, height, girth etc etc) it has everything I need and nothing I don’t. Nothing is missing and there is no “dead space”. It’s sleek to carry and very capable.
It was put to great use helping my girlfriend set up shop for the weekend, cutting flowers, opening and breaking down boxes etc etc.
Even she was impressed. She’s handled a number of my knives and “tolerates” my hobby, but doesn’t exactly share my enthusiasm. I handed her the Lil’ Lady to cut the flowers - lilies and roses with thick stems. We were running late and so her mind was in a million places at once in the rush to get everything ready. But it was clear that even she noticed there was something about this knife when I heard her mumur “ooooh... this is nice”
I suppose that means I have the okay to buy another one in a different flavor
At this point I’d also like to thank Andy for so generously offering to sharpen the knives. I really appreciate it but, as expressed to another member, my philosophy is that if I’m going to carry a knife regularly, then I have to have the skills (or acquire them) to maintain and sharpen it myself.
I’ll also add that I share Andy’s dislike for sharpening choils and that I understand his reasoning for why the blade shouldn’t meet the plunge line at a 90 degree angle. While I was able to bring the sharpened edge back closer to the ricasso, it still tapers out and into the guard with the structurally important curves on either side (if that makes sense - as a relative knife newbie I sometimes struggle with the vocabulary).
Again, thanks to everyone who shared thoughts, advice and encouragement with this newer member.
Cheers!