Recommendation? Lapping film or high grit stones for mirror edge on fixed angle sharpener?

[mszs]

In the past I ruined several knives by trying to do anything free-hand. Therefore, I decided to go with a guided angle sharpener (MadEdge). With the standard set of stones up to 1500 grit, I do get a very nice edge and I was even able to repair most of the damage I had done free-hand. Now, I'd like to try getting a mirror edge, but I am hesitant to do even the stropping free-hand. Maybe too cautious... Anyway, I read about lapping film, strops with or without compound, and high-grit stones (e.g. up to 10000 grit). What would you recommend?

 

[Bill3152]

Nobody is born with the skills to freehand. It takes some practice. Before you get a mirror finish though you need to consistently sharpen a blade using one coarse stone. Regarding your question yes you can get a mirror finish using films. As far as stropping goes its the same thing. You will get out what you put in. Good luck

 

[Diemaker]

My preference for finer than 5-3 micron stones right now is leather strops bare or loaded with diamond but I am still quite actively learning. I think water-based sprays are best and strongly avoid anything that will make the leather soft or sticky so no oils or waxes. The harder and slicker the leather the less it will convex the apex, which can be pretty extreme.

 

[kreisler]

I tried them all on the guided system. My recommendation are films. No leather, no 10000grit stones. But films.

i make my own films, see the PTS-method. google <pts method knife>

 

[cudgee]

I tried them all on the guided system. Mu recommendation are films. no leather, no 10000grit stones. films.

i make my own films, see the PTS-method. google <pts method knife>

Thank you for that link my friend. Most interesting, i have some balsa wood strips and some THK diamond paste already, going to get some surgical tape and experiment with it. Was just about to order some adhesive backed lapping paper in different grits, but after reading your post already have most of the stuff so will give it a try.