Depending on how you define stropping I think it could, as diamond compounds start as coarse as 125μ. One could work through a full progression on strops alone if desired.
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Need Help With Mirror Polished Edge
- Thread starter rogatsby
- Start date
Depending on how you define stropping I think it could, as diamond compounds start as coarse as 125μ. One could work through a full progression on strops alone if desired.
Fair point. I suppose I was thinking of the more commonly available varieties from DMT et al that start in the 6 um range. That's not how I would choose to sharpen my knives, but that's the beauty of this hobby -- options. In any case, a series of progressively finer abrasives.
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- Jul 6, 2009
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Can the stuff provided with Apex Pro give a mirror finish?
I would say yes. You can take a piece of steel and use the 110 grit to contour a workable edge at 30 degrees included angle or so. 320 grit is nice; 400 is good as is 600 and 1000. Apex also provides "tapes" of 2000, 3000, 6000, IIRC.
You can "stick" those onto the blank provided by Apex or...as I do...just stick the tape onto the last (highest) grit you've finished with so far. So do 1000 Apex stone, then tapes...and you will have mirror finish. For any stone or tape, you should get rid of the previous grind lines before you go any higher. That's the message.
Some will rightfully say that some mirror finishes are "brighter" than others, so that's up to you...how high you go or how long you stay with it...or if you choose additional diamond sprays or whatever. I've been happy with the Apex basics although I did buy a Shapton 2000 and 4000 although it's not necessary.
You do NOT have to spend a bunch of money on additional stones or grits to do a good job.
Keep in mind that aesthetics are nice, but many custom knife-makers are quite happy to send you a knife sharpened to 320 grit...and that's it. And it will do an excellent job...
I would say yes. You can take a piece of steel and use the 110 grit to contour a workable edge at 30 degrees included angle or so. 320 grit is nice; 400 is good as is 600 and 1000. Apex also provides "tapes" of 2000, 3000, 6000, IIRC.
You can "stick" those onto the blank provided by Apex or...as I do...just stick the tape onto the last (highest) grit you've finished with so far. So do 1000 Apex stone, then tapes...and you will have mirror finish. For any stone or tape, you should get rid of the previous grind lines before you go any higher. That's the message.
Some will rightfully say that some mirror finishes are "brighter" than others, so that's up to you...how high you go or how long you stay with it...or if you choose additional diamond sprays or whatever. I've been happy with the Apex basics although I did buy a Shapton 2000 and 4000 although it's not necessary.
You do NOT have to spend a bunch of money on additional stones or grits to do a good job.
Keep in mind that aesthetics are nice, but many custom knife-makers are quite happy to send you a knife sharpened to 320 grit...and that's it. And it will do an excellent job...
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- Apr 8, 2016
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What steel are you sharpening?
Also are you using all those compounds on one strop? You need a different strop for each one cause your mixing them won't work.
If it's super steel you'll want diamond compounds imho.