How to get a super-sharp, extremely refined edge?

[mlanghornes]

I recently picked up a case peanut with Tru-sharp blades, and I'm experimenting with a new sharpening process. I flattened a small block of wood to use as a backing, and I've been using black binder clips to hold cut-to-size sandpaper sheets on, as I sharpen using the sandpaper with an edge-trailing motion. I used 60 grit to reprofile (the angle is basically the spine being raised one blade-thickness above the stone), then moved to 100, 150, and 220 to get rid of the 60-grit gouges. From there I moved to 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper, and my edge is nice, but I'm looking for the next level. Should I move to a leather strop? If so, what should I load it with, if anything? If not, is there a finer-grit medium I could use, I can't find sandpaper finer than 2k. What about cardboard/loaded cardboard? I really like the cheapness and simplicity of the setup I have, so I'm not looking for suggestions to buy an EdgePro

 

[David Martin]

The small black binder clips work as I've been using them for a year with great success for a guide and just run thru the grits. Build yourself a good,smooth leather strop with hard backing and load it with .3-.5 micron green rouge and use your same clips to strop with. DM

 

[BryFry]

Yes, you absolutely should try out a leather strop, which can be loaded with the chromium oxide (I use the black and green). Also many people have great success using a soft smooth wood block loaded with diamond paste.

Either way, you will see and feel a definate improvement to the finish of your edges.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I've been real happy lately with following the 2000 grit paper with a strop block loaded with Simichrome paste. Edges really gleam when done this way (and they get quite sharp, too). Don't need a lot, just enough to color the leather (Simichrome is pink). Let it dry before using the strop. Drying doesn't take long at all, but you could use a hair dryer to speed the drying, if need be.

 

[The_Guide]

Im fond of using fine diamond pastes on MDF for v-grind edges, and I use it on leather for convex edges. Its nice and cheap.

If your looking to spend some money (not much, ~$100),go to japanese knife sharpening dot com, and check out there pro strop kit. Its awesome, it has .25u diamond spray, a leather strop and mounting block, a felt de-burring setup (a hard, and ultra hard felt block). It is the ultimate final step to polish your edge. (Unless you want to grab some 0.05u microabrasive film )