Making a scalpel of the Calypso Jr.

Okay, checked out the edge. It wasn't as sharp as it was obviously, since I've been using it. So I stropped it up, and the strop didn't quite get it to where it was before, but it's reasonably close (doesn't quite grab freestanding hair like it did earlier). I split some hairs with it, can send a couple hairs mounted on a wide card along with it.

Joe
 
Joe - Just send it to Danelle. Danelle, please alert Patrick that it's coming and why. (Sorry, I'm pretty much tied up in meetings until next Wednesday).

Blades - we'll figure out how to post the photo.
sal
 
How do you think this kind of sharpening would work on some other knives? Offhand I think of the Dragonfly (AUS-8 and flat grind like the Calypso Jr.), but I would also be curious about something like the A.G. Russell One-Hand in AUS-8 (sorry, don't know the grind) or the David Boye folders (yes, these are some knives I'm thinking of getting).

You also mentioned getting some neat results in ATS-34 with your Axis; have you tried anything like this with CPM-440 yet? 440A or C? M2 or other carbons? How sharp can you get a Benchmade Ascent or Spyderco Delica?

John

 
John, I would be very surprised if you could duplicate that high a polish on a steel with a large grain structure like 440C with the big Cr carbides. One of the nice things about AUS-8 is how easy it is to put a very fine edge on it. You can get a shaving sharp edge with even a simple butchers steel. Try a low alloy carbon steel for another good choice in this area.

In terms of sharpness, what most knife users consider "shaving sharp" woodworkers do not. All they do with chisels and such is push cutting so they don't want any bite in their blades at all. If you give them a knife like that (shaving sharp) they will think the edge is rough. To get a feel for this do some reading on the woodworking newsgroup as they described in detail how they get high polishes frequently. The polular method of choice currently is using wat/dry sandpaper and finishing at really high grits (2000/4000). This leaves an edge which performs as Joe describes.

Joe, have you ever used the polishing strips for the Apex? They are rated at really high grits as well 1000/4000 (or similar).

-Cliff
 
Cliff, haven't used 'em. In fact, totally forgot that there even were such strips, though I vaguely remember getting some. I'll have to break open my Apex and see what's there.

Joe
 
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