Mods, Regrinds, Cerakote, and Sharpening

Wardak54 · Mar 22, 2015

Email sent.

REK Knives · Mar 22, 2015

Replied =)

REK Knives · Mar 23, 2015

Finished these up the other day! Note: if the tip area looks blurry in the first one it's because the camera isn't focused on that point. All of these are reprofiled to 15 dps and taken up through 10k waterstones + strops.

AFAustin · Mar 23, 2015

Josh did an outstanding job on a small Case folder I sent him. Most guided systems have a hard time putting an acute angle on a small blade, but on mine Josh managed 12 dps on his WE! He put up a great video of the process here (post #8): http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-Edge-for-Small-Blades-Gen-I-or-II-(or-III)

Thanks, Josh. It is a pleasure to deal with someone with your impressive skills who is also a true gentleman.

Andrew

blsnelling · Mar 24, 2015

Josh, thanks for a fabulous job restoring this Hinderer spanto blade for me. Here's a thread with more details about this knife. Customized Hinderer XM-18

Here's what I sent Josh to start with. It had been significantly damaged by careless sharpening. A re-grind was the only way to repair this.

Here's what Josh sent me back! My goal was for a look similar to a ZT 0801 Copperhead. What a gorgeous blade! Thanks Josh!

REK Knives · Mar 24, 2015

^ dude those are some good photos! great job... must have a light box or something?

thanks for trusting me w/ that fabulous blade!

blsnelling · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks. I took these outside. It was totally overcast, so perfect for pics.

REK Knives · Mar 28, 2015

Man it's been one of those weeks! Sorry I'm running a bit behind guys... I try at minimum to maintain contact w/ my customers through text/email without delay. Anyway, here's some of what I've been up to:

BRK bushcrafter 3v - conversion to high flat grind.

And I just got these in:

And having a little fun w/ them

AFAustin · Mar 28, 2015

Josh, beautiful work!

Forgive my ignorance, but what are those stones you just got in?

Andrew

REK Knives · Mar 28, 2015

AFAustin said:
Josh, beautiful work!

Forgive my ignorance, but what are those stones you just got in?

Andrew

Not stones... lapping films

Loving them so far! I am getting around HHT-4 w/ these films, but I've got some "upgrades" that help out greatly too

AFAustin · Mar 29, 2015

razor-edge-knives said:
Not stones... lapping films Loving them so far! I am getting around HHT-4 w/ these films, but I've got some "upgrades" that help out greatly too

Ahh...thanks. So are you going to reveal your other "upgrades" for inquiring minds?

Also, on the HHT, something has always confused me. Is HHT-2 referring to "hair whittling"? I had in my mind that whittling requires a sharper knife than simply cutting the hair in two as you pull it over the edge. But severing the hair shows as one step higher---HHT-3. Am I reading this right, and is this your experience?

Thanks,

Andrew

REK Knives · Mar 29, 2015

AFAustin said:
Ahh...thanks. So are you going to reveal your other "upgrades" for inquiring minds?

Also, on the HHT, something has always confused me. Is HHT-2 referring to "hair whittling"? I had in my mind that whittling requires a sharper knife than simply cutting the hair in two as you pull it over the edge. But severing the hair shows as one step higher---HHT-3. Am I reading this right, and is this your experience?

Thanks,

Andrew

Can't give away all my secrets!

The HHT tests are designed to be consecutive. So HHT-1 is the "dullest" whereas HHT-5 is the ultimate sharpness. Hair whittling is not as sharp as hair severing, and then you have to specify what the point of hold is from the cut. It is very difficult to get a HHT-3 or 4 at 1" from the point of hold. Same is true when it comes to push cutting phonebook paper. Paper has a grain direction, most of the time it's from top to bottom, or long wise. If you try to cut the paper from side to side you will notice that it is much more difficult to cut. And then to top it off, try holding it .5 or 1" from where you try to push cut it from and you will see that it is no easy task.

Hope this helps =)

AFAustin · Mar 30, 2015

Josh, thanks. Always learning here.

Andrew

mainaman · Mar 30, 2015

AFAustin said:
Ahh...thanks. So are you going to reveal your other "upgrades" for inquiring minds?

Also, on the HHT, something has always confused me. Is HHT-2 referring to "hair whittling"? I had in my mind that whittling requires a sharper knife than simply cutting the hair in two as you pull it over the edge. But severing the hair shows as one step higher---HHT-3. Am I reading this right, and is this your experience?

Thanks,

Andrew

HHT is a very subjective way to judge sharpness. It depends on the hair used, and also the edge finish, etc. For knives HHT probably is better test than for razors where HHT tells you nothing about how the edge shaves.

REK Knives · Mar 30, 2015

mainaman said:
HHT is a very subjective way to judge sharpness. It depends on the hair used, and also the edge finish, etc. For knives HHT probably is better test than for razors where HHT tells you nothing about how the edge shaves.

You are right in that there are a lot of variables and it needs to be only one of multiple thing used. It is interesting that I have gotten HHT-3 or so but then when I look under my USB micro scope at the edge it has some chips in it, which would lead to a rough shave. So when I mirror an edge, I look at it around the 2k level to make sure there are no chips whatsoever and all the damage is removed. Many aren't aware but it also depends on which direction you cut the hair as the edge can catch under the plates (see below) and cut it easier than the other way (the former is the more standardized test). And that's what Coticule is about, standardizing the HHT so there isn't as much variation. For razors I would not say it tells you nothing, but it is one of several different tests to ensure shave readiness.

For example if I had a razor that would pass HHT-5 and one that would not pass HHT-1 then you know that it will not shave (in other words, it will not even shave arm hair). Whereas the HHT-5 could be a rough shave, due to the edge chipping out or too keen of an edge (which I actually disagree with but that's another topic lol), but at least it would shave.

mainaman · Mar 30, 2015

razor-edge-knives said:
You are right in that there are a lot of variables and it needs to be only one of multiple thing used. It is interesting that I have gotten HHT-3 or so but then when I look under my USB micro scope at the edge it has some chips in it, which would lead to a rough shave. So when I mirror an edge, I look at it around the 2k level to make sure there are no chips whatsoever and all the damage is removed. Many aren't aware but it also depends on which direction you cut the hair as the edge can catch under the plates (see below) and cut it easier than the other way (the former is the more standardized test). And that's what Coticule is about, standardizing the HHT so there isn't as much variation. For razors I would not say it tells you nothing, but it is one of several different tests to ensure shave readiness.

For example if I had a razor that would pass HHT-5 and one that would not pass HHT-1 then you know that it will not shave (in other words, it will not even shave arm hair). Whereas the HHT-5 could be a rough shave, due to the edge chipping out or too keen of an edge (which I actually disagree with but that's another topic lol), but at least it would shave.

HHT should be performed always in direction from toot to tip to avoid catching on the cuticles. For razor HHT tells nothing about shave readiness only sharpness, and sharpness alone does not indicated comfort when the edge touches the cheek. Shave readiness can only be accessed with a shave.

REK Knives · Mar 30, 2015

mainaman said:
HHT should be performed always in direction from toot to tip to avoid catching on the cuticles. For razor HHT tells nothing about shave readiness only sharpness, and sharpness alone does not indicated comfort when the edge touches the cheek. Shave readiness can only be accessed with a shave.

I think we are kind of saying the same thing... I agree it only tells you sharpness but not right off hand how the shave will perform. But as you say, it does indicate sharpness/keenness at the apex. And if I understand what you are saying, you are wrong about which direction the HHT should be done from. As stated on the listed website you are to hold the hair at the tip side, not the root side.

Thanks for chiming in =) I think the HHT is often misunderstood.

REK Knives · Mar 30, 2015

Here's one that was a type of scandi (w/ a secondary edge as well) 3/16 blade stock I think. Owner wanted it converted to FFG thin edge.

JR88FAN · Mar 31, 2015

I have to leave a quick comment here, because it is so deserved.
My knife is currently in the Mail to Josh, and is going to get some extensive work done to it...

I already know that the work will be as good as it gets, I have seen enough of Josh's work to know that he understands what he's doing as well as anyone offering his services.

What I learned about Josh before I sent my knife to him, is that he is by far, the most stand-up, answer your questions, and care about finding what works best kinda guy I have talked to in a LONG time.

The patience Josh showed in answering my 1001 questions is remarkable, and speaks volumes about who he is and how much he cares.

If you are looking for not only top notch work, but also top notch customer service, this is the guy you want to send your knife to and feel good about the entire process...

Thanks Josh.

ps72 · Mar 31, 2015

^Agreed on all counts. The BRK up top is mine and Josh was just an absolute pleasure to work with. He responds to emails almost immediately, provides suggestions and feedback for the work you want done, is encouraging, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about his craft, and is absolutely a stand-up gentleman. Without a doubt my go-to service provider on BF when I have sharpening/regrinding needs that are beyond my skill level.

Thanks again for the work you do, Josh. It it absolutely appreciated.