How sharp are your "HF" sharpened Knives?

[zhangmaster12]

Im just wondering, getting sort of a poll.

I can get my knife slicing newspaper cleanly. Shaves easily and passes the "samurai" test. When trying to whittle hair, sometimes, I can get a cut in the hair at the part closest to my finger, but never actually whittle hair.

My sharpest knives are sharpened free-hand on my stone. They can just about whittle hair.

I also find that higher end steels are easier to sharpen for some reason, ie my Fehrman in CPM3V was the sharpest knife I've ever gotton using my HF belt sander.

Lee Valley Leather Belts SUCK! To damn thick, and curl up and generally piss you off.:grumpy:

So bladeforums, how sharp do you get your knives on the belt sander? Anyone get them hair-whittling (I mean cutting nice curls in hair, not just cutting through it)?

 

[stitchawl]

Something to keep in mind when trying to whittle hair is that everyone's hair is different. Blond hair is MUCH harder to whittle than black hair. Soft, well conditioned hair is MUCH easier to whittle than older, dry hair.

Don't despair if you can't whittle hair. (A little Monday morning poetry... ) Try different hair. Go to the barber shop, or just ask around your family and friends. No one will think you're too strange... maybe.


Stitchawl

 

[Jason B.]

I posted a pic not too long ago of my dads ZDP endura after being sharpened with a 80 grit zirconia belt and finished with a lee vally leather belt coated in chromium oxide. The knife would make one curl of hair after just that two step process.

The tool is only as good as the knowledge of the person using it.

 

[Heiheit]

can you post some pics of your edges? I'd love to see some edges done on a belt grinder.

Edit: that's directed towards anyone btw

 

[me2]

I can tree top hair about 1/4" above the skin, and whittle hair from my wife's brush sometimes. I can whittle long thin curls from my beard hair. I can almost always cut a hair held between my fingers. It depends on steel and what belts are used. The above are from a 180 to 320 grit range, then the leather. 2 steps, no fuss. If I tried the 180/220/400/600/1200/leather that some use, I'm pretty sure I could do better. With more than 2 steps, the paper wheels start looking pretty good.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Don't despair if you can't whittle hair. (A little Monday morning poetry... ) Try different hair. Go to the barber shop, or just ask around your family and friends. No one will think you're too strange... maybe.


Stitchawl

Anxiously awaiting the completion of that poem... it could be good.

I've sometimes pondered the 'looks' confused I might get from family members if I ever ask to 'borrow' a strand or two of hair, to test my edge. Still not sure how that might pan out...

 

[richard j]

i use a worn 400 grit belt and finish off with the paper buffing wheel. i cant hold steady enough to cut hairs but i can treetop hairs easily and cut free hanging newspaper just as easy.

 

[zhangmaster12]

Thanks guys for the replys!
Im still practicing with the belt sander, but lately I havent been using it. Been playing with stones .
Time to try using the HF again.

 

[230grains]

I use the kalamazoo 1x42. I can wittle hairs when im done.

 

[stitchawl]

Anxiously awaiting the completion of that poem... it could be good.

I... don't... think... so.

I've sometimes pondered the 'looks' confused I might get from family members if I ever ask to 'borrow' a strand or two of hair, to test my edge. Still not sure how that might pan out...

I used to 'borrow' hair from my friend's wife to make barometers. She had long, unbleached blond hair. She only looked at me funny the first time I asked. After that, she just shook her head in wonder.


Stitchawl

 

[Broos]

I went to high school with a guy that had hair so thick you could whittle it with a shovel. I served in the army with a guy who had a mustache growing out of his nose too - wanted to whack or whittle all of it off so I wouldn't have to look at it anymore.