I've finally started getting pretty good results with my Sharpmaker, particularly after creating microbevels on an edge. After reading lots of posts about how to create a microbevel, everyone seems to be consistent on using fine stones and very light passes for the microbevel. Why is this necessary? What is wrong with using medium stones or using more passes? I understand that it may remove a bit more material, but is it that detrimental to the blade's performance? Thanks for the help!
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Oversharpening micro-bevel?
- Thread starter Remy
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,517
Nothing at all wrong with that. A microbevel is a quick way to tailor your edge to your uses and preferences, without having to completely re-grind the entire edge bevel. With that in mind, it's perfect for cherry-picking which grit to use, at what angle seems to work best for you. The degree of refinement depends on how far you want to take it. It can be done in just a pass or two, for an as-needed fix on the go, or you can refine, polish and tweak it to your satisfaction. The main risk in taking it further (more strokes, more time) is in going too far by over-polishing or inadvertently making an off-angle pass or two, which may round or blunt the edge after all the previous good work.
In a nutshell, it can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. So long as it's done carefully and with a clear objective as to what you hope to get out of it, there's no harm in going as far with it as you wish.
David
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2013
- Messages
- 322
One consideration to keep in mind is the work created by taking too much material off and ending up with a not-so-micro bevel. When the microbevel gets too large, the cutting efficiency of the primary cutting bevel diminishes. Keeping the strokes light ensures that the micro is actually very small.