Just used my Edge Pro for the first time...

[clmayfield]

WHOA!!!

I have been using a Sharpmaker at the 30 degree setting (15 per side) and going down to the Ultra Fine Ceramic rods and I thought I was getting my Shun kitchen knives pretty sharp. I can shave hairs off of my arm just by running the knife a quarter inch above the surface of my arm. I felt like it was just shy of the factory blade, which is scary sharp.

As has been mentioned, the set-up for the Edge Pro is pretty long and detailed. I ended up cutting myself taping up the blade with painters tape. BUT... it was worth it. After finishing with the 600 Grit stone, I was not impressed. Basically, my chef's knife was about as sharp as I could get it on the Sharpmaker. I thought, "Well, at least I know it is exactly 15 degrees."

I wasn't even going to bother with the polishing tapes, but I decided to anyway. Now, before I get flamed, I know that a mirror-sharp blade is less useful for tomatoes, eggplants, etc., but I needed to see how sharp I could get this guy. After about 3 passes on each side with the 3000 grit polishing tape, the knife will not just catch a few hairs, but will laterally grab onto every single hair on my arm it touches a quarter inch above my arm. It is officially "sharper" than the factory edge.

My next chore will be to reset the back-bevel to 10 degrees on my Shun Elites and add a micro-bevel of 15 degrees. Does anyone have any advice on setting the micro-bevel? Should I go ahead and use it at a flat 10 and then wait for it to dull a bit before setting the micro-bevel? How many passes with which stones will I need to set the micro-bevel? Thanks!

 

[cbwx34]

Congrats on your success!!

My .02....

Set the primary bevel when you sharpen, don't wait.

The way I do it is I use the finest stone that I want the finish to be... to set the primary bevel. In other words, if I want a 600 finish, I use the 600 stone. You can use the tapes to set the primary, but you have to make sure the edge is burr-free... or you'll just tear up the tape. So you may want to make a pass or two with the 600 stone first.

It doesn't take much to set the primary bevel. I do just a couple of light passes, alternating sides with each pass. Key is light and alternating to avoid creating another burr to get rid of. Check it, and if not quite there, do 1 alternating pass each side, and check. You'll find it should be well set in 2-4 passes.

Whether you set a primary bevel or not... if you finish your sharpening with 1 or 2 very light passes, alternating sides, it will really refine the edge.

Hope this helps!

 

[sodak]

The hook has been set!