How many Edge Pro Blanks do you have/need?

B

Bster13

Joined
Jan 22, 2012
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I picked up a used Edge Pro Apex and have decided to purchase the full line of Congress Flex stones (150-600 grit, 1/4in thick), the Edge pro 1000 stone (unmounted), and 3M PSA Lapping Film in 3micron, 1micron and .3micron flavors to round out my first shot at a mirrored finish.

Question... How many blanks do you use?

I want some glass blanks for the film/tape, but I don't know if users of the lapping film tend to use the film w/ one single glass blank in their kit, and put it back on it's original backing, then move up to the next finest lapping film w/ that single glass blank again?

Or do you have an indiv. glass blank for each film?

Is the Pressure Sensitive Adhesive robust enough to repeatedly be moved from the original backing to the EP blank and back again the next knife you sharpen?
 
How much are those congress stones going to set you back for the whole set? I only want to know because if it is a good bit I may have a suggestion for you..

With the tapes, (which I don't use anymore, it is a HUGE pain in the ass) I would get a glass blank for each grit. Applying then removing them will make them lose the adhesive way before they are worn out.

The set up you describe looks good. I like the fact that you aren't so concerned about only jumping 100 grit each time. That is unnecessary.


If you have some extra cash, I HIGHLY suggest the chosera stones from Chefknivestogo. Buying the whole set is not needed at all. If I were you, I'd get the low grit congress stones, then get the 600 Chosera, 1000 Chosera, 3k Chosera, 5k, and 10K. That will allow you to get a great mirror finish without messing around with the tapes.

I do need to tell you that the overall finish you get with the films is clearer, but like I said they can be a huge PITA to use. There is really no substitute for those sub micron films when a SUPER mirror polish is what you're after.


Please let me know if there is something I didn't touch on. I am more than happy to answer any questions. :)

You can sub to my YT channel as well. I will be reviewing Edge Pro products from Chefknivestogo in a week or so. I am going to choose the products to review, so if there is something you'd like to see used then just let me know.






ETA: If the hyper polish is important, than you can still use the set I outline above, but stop at the 3k chosera - then progress with your sub micron films. The finish that the 3k Chosera gives is an excellent platform for getting a really nice clear polish.
 
Thanks for the quick reply John. I am leaning towards the tape because I must admit, I'm not a true knife nut at this time. I only own a Mora for backpacking and a Spyderco Native FRN in S30V for my every day carry. I work in an office all day and only use my EDC for opening boxes...sad I know.

Anyway, I was thinking the Congress Stones (would you recommend Moldmaster or the Flex?) and 3m tapes for best bang for buck. I'm not a skilled chef (but I did just sharpen a cheapo cleaver that beats out my GF's more expensive one now hehe) so I wonder if I can ever really justify the price of Sharptons or Choseras. Heck, with all the videos of the Edge Pro and their polishing tapes those blades seem to do very well with push cuts and shaving hair, etcetera. I figured I'd be doing better than the average EP Polishing tape user with those 3M lapping films.

Definitely open to a better bang for buck EP setup that will push cut toilet paper and shave hair with is. Thanks for the help!
 
You can sub to my YT channel as well. I will be reviewing Edge Pro products from Chefknivestogo in a week or so. I am going to choose the products to review, so if there is something you'd like to see used then just let me know.
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Did not realize CrimsonTideShooter = jdavis882. *face palm*

Been subscribed for a week or so now getting yelled at by the GF for her having to hear "boring sharpening videos" all night and day. Haha.
 
I've started messing around with diamond lapping films w/ PSA backing from 3M. They are just like the ones on CKTG but more economical. I just put them on the blanks and go to town. You can easily get away with the 74, 45, 30, and 20micron tapes. Anything lower tends to be for show as the 20micron tape will put a hair whittling edge even on my K390 at 64rc. That is just my experience and possibly another avenue you could explore.
 
So you're saying go with strictly lapping film and glass blanks? Above the 20 micro tapes may def be for show...I have to admit, I want some "show" when I show my friends. :)

And why did you go with the diamond films over the regular stuff?

I have my one really nice knife, the Sypdero Native FRM in S30V, but otherwise it's cheap kitchen knives and whatever I can get my hands on to practice before touching the Native (I just won this auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/37056496319...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_608wt_1110 to have varied knives to practice on, but I bet they will be cheap, soft steel).

I figured the regular lapping film would work on.

Now I am wondering if I rock all Glass Blanks (heck, only a little more expensive than the alum ones) and 3M lapping film...perhaps I could get a TON of lapping film 1 x 6in strips out of a few sheets of film for less overall money?
 
Bster13 said:
Thanks for the quick reply John. I am leaning towards the tape because I must admit, I'm not a true knife nut at this time. I only own a Mora for backpacking and a Spyderco Native FRN in S30V for my every day carry. I work in an office all day and only use my EDC for opening boxes...sad I know.

Anyway, I was thinking the Congress Stones (would you recommend Moldmaster or the Flex?) and 3m tapes for best bang for buck. I'm not a skilled chef (but I did just sharpen a cheapo cleaver that beats out my GF's more expensive one now hehe) so I wonder if I can ever really justify the price of Sharptons or Choseras. Heck, with all the videos of the Edge Pro and their polishing tapes those blades seem to do very well with push cuts and shaving hair, etcetera. I figured I'd be doing better than the average EP Polishing tape user with those 3M lapping films.

Definitely open to a better bang for buck EP setup that will push cut toilet paper and shave hair with is. Thanks for the help!
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The Moldmasters seem to be the most popular, although I have used neither.

The edges you seek are possible with the bone stock Apex 4 set up. The stock stones/tapes are perfectly fine, but sometimes it's fun to explore the possibilities of performance.

With good technique you should be able to get hair whittling edges all day. I would suggest getting the knivesplus strop block for that final finishing step. For me it has been the difference between sharp and ridiculously sharp on many knives. :)
 
That is exactly what I have done. I haven't used stones in awhile and the diamond films work great. There is a learning curve as they can gouge easily and you don't apply any pressure to them. I did play around with the lower grits and took my K390 down to the 3micron tape. It's truly scary sharp and the bevel is a mirror.
 
Bster13 said:
So you're saying go with strictly lapping film and glass blanks? Above the 20 micro tapes may def be for show...I have to admit, I want some "show" when I show my friends. :)

And why did you go with the diamond films over the regular stuff?

I have my one really nice knife, the Sypdero Native FRM in S30V, but otherwise it's cheap kitchen knives and whatever I can get my hands on to practice before touching the Native (I just won this auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/37056496319...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_608wt_1110 to have varied knives to practice on, but I bet they will be cheap, soft steel).

I figured the regular lapping film would work on.

Now I am wondering if I rock all Glass Blanks (heck, only a little more expensive than the alum ones) and 3M lapping film...perhaps I could get a TON of lapping film 1 x 6in strips out of a few sheets of film for less overall money?
Click to expand...


In my experience, the coarse diamond lapping films loose their ability to cut extremely fast, extremely fast. Haha

My 125 micron film went from cutting like CRAZY, to cutting a bit slower than my 600 grit Chosera. Of course, that is only my one experience. Mark Richmond should be sending me different ones to try, though.
 
I suck so bad freehand sharpening with Arkansas stones and stropping with my plain leather belt that I've always thought I'm better off with a more confined system where it is harder for me to interject my "art" of sharpening (i.e. stropping) and screw things up. haha. Ever time I stropped I felt as though I was blunting the edge, not making it sharper...or perhaps was that me removing the burr? Haven't stropped since I got the Edge Pro so perhaps I just stunk it up all around with the Arkansas stones while freehanding and didn't have an edge worth stropping in the first place.
 
CrimsonTideShooter said:
In my experience, the coarse diamond lapping films loose their ability to cut extremely fast, extremely fast. Haha

My 125 micron film went from cutting like CRAZY, to cutting a bit slower than my 600 grit Chosera. Of course, that is only my one experience. Mark Richmond should be sending me different ones to try, though.
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Maybe I'm using a different 3M tape as the 74micron one I have has reprofiled 6 knives with no signs of slowing down.
 
Ahh that may be the difference. Honestly I started using them as I got tired of flattening stones and having to adjust the Edge Pro every time I used a lower grit stone.
 
@capid1, Where do u purchase them from? And are you purchasing the full sheets and slicking them to 1 x 6in sheets? Or do you buy the sheets for the wicked edge (5.5in) and just using them for the EP?
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/Wicked Edge Lapping Film.htm

@CrimsonTideShooter, In one of your videos you show stropping with a green strop from chefknivestogo for ~$20 (I think?), but I can't find it on the website. Where am I missing?
http://chefknivestogo.ecomm-search.com/search/keywords-strop--res_per_page-100--x-0--y-0
 
Hrmm...the potential of a good bang for buck EP system w/out the need to flatten stones is appealing.

I'll have to work a spreadsheet comparing the pricing of conventional Congress stones w/ alum blanks, flattening stones (or silicon carbide powder from EP plus glass base from Home Depot), then 3m lapping film and a glass blank or two vs. all 3m films and glass blanks.
 
Bster13 said:
@capid1, Where do u purchase them from? And are you purchasing the full sheets and slicking them to 1 x 6in sheets? Or do you buy the sheets for the wicked edge (5.5in) and just using them for the EP?
http://www.bestsharpeningstones.com/catalog/Wicked Edge Lapping Film.htm

@CrimsonTideShooter, In one of your videos you show stropping with a green strop from chefknivestogo for ~$20 (I think?), but I can't find it on the website. Where am I missing?
http://chefknivestogo.ecomm-search.com/search/keywords-strop--res_per_page-100--x-0--y-0
Click to expand...


That strop is from knivesplus. Google "knivesplus strop block."
 
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