Problems with S30V

[awestib]

Hi Guys
I have been having trouble sharpening my Benchmade S30V folder by hand. My usual set up is simple: One coarse stone, in this case diamond. One finer stone, in this case braun ceramic, and finally green strop. Usually I try to cont. on the finer stone (after establishing an edge on the coarser) until I can at least shave a little bit. Usually I do forth and back strokes (I have the feeling my angle is more consistent this way??) . In the case of the S30V Benchmade however, I have been having problems. Even after the strop I can barely shave! So I wonder, is it the steel that gives me trouble here? Maybe I just don't continue long enough on the coarse stone?

Any suggestions welcome!
Thanks, Andy

 

[hardheart]

stay with the coarse stone until you can shave arm hair.

 

[David Martin]

Also, thats a big jump in grits from 325 to 1500 (I think that ceramic is about that). My S30V requires a good amount of work on a coarse 100g stone if dull. DM

 

[awestib]

Good thoughts, thanks guys!
A.

 

[dtrap]

My brother sharpens most of my knives and I have heard him say that when he does s30v it generally takes him almost twice as many strokes on the various stones as it does on other steels.

 

[Ben Dover]

S30V is a highly abrasion resistant steel. It's not really different from a sharpening perspective than other steels, except that it takes a bit longer, and it requires that you get the best possible edge with each stone before moving to the next finer grit. Higher grits will not correct insufficient sharpening with lower grits on this steel like they will on less abrasion resistant steels.