I've not been around here long, but I'm no stranger to forums. I learned a long time ago that the best way to get good, useful information about something is to find a good, active forum. You also get to meet some cool people. I just started collecting/sharpening knives a few years ago and since my eyes and hands are old, I decided to go with a fixed angle sharpener. I started with a KME, but currently use a TSPROF K03. At the time I came here, I need to learn more about knives (and still do), but my knife sharpening was "wandering lost in the wilderness". I could get a knife sharp, some more than others, but I would get very inconsistent results with the appearance. I would have inconsistent scratch patterns that would reflect light in bands. When sharpening a knife for the first time, I struggled trying to correct the whacky spots that are often on factory edges. When I started buying more premium knives, I would put off sharpening it for fear of creating an ugly edge on a pricey knife. I could go on but I'll just say I was very frustrated. I least I did get better at stropping.
I read every thread on this forum that I see that pertains to sharpening with a fixed angle set up. I've also found a lot of great info doing "searches". It was with great interest that I read some posts about a "working edge" where you don't progress with diamond stones past 400 grit. This struck a chord because in looking at my edges under magnification after each stone, they usually looked the most uniform after the 400 grit stone. Both sharpeners that I've bought came with a "set" of diamond stones. These "sets" were 4 or 5 stones in about 150 grit to 1000 grit. I don't know why, but I had it firmly in my mind that I needed to use all of the stones in the "set". Anyway, I decided to go the "working edge" route and it didn't take long to kind of develop a routine. I've changed a lot of things in my technique and how I work the stone. I've stopped rounding tips and have learned how to fix the blades that I did mess up. I've learned how to fix the little quirks you see in factory edges. I now have an edge I'm proud of. It is a very clean, uniform edge that is toothy and scary sharp. And it's this way on a bunch of different blade steels. I apologize for not having links to the threads or the names of the posters that described the "working edge". This thread was intended as an expression of appreciation.
I'm currently using Venev Orion stones in 150, 240, and 400 grit. For a heavy re-profile, I may start with a Poltava CBN 120 metallic stone but I'll follow it with the Venev 150 before progressing to the 240. After the 400, I'll usually strop with 6 micron Gunny Juice on a kangaroo leather strop. I hope you guys will tell me if I'm doing something wrong or can do something to get better.
I read every thread on this forum that I see that pertains to sharpening with a fixed angle set up. I've also found a lot of great info doing "searches". It was with great interest that I read some posts about a "working edge" where you don't progress with diamond stones past 400 grit. This struck a chord because in looking at my edges under magnification after each stone, they usually looked the most uniform after the 400 grit stone. Both sharpeners that I've bought came with a "set" of diamond stones. These "sets" were 4 or 5 stones in about 150 grit to 1000 grit. I don't know why, but I had it firmly in my mind that I needed to use all of the stones in the "set". Anyway, I decided to go the "working edge" route and it didn't take long to kind of develop a routine. I've changed a lot of things in my technique and how I work the stone. I've stopped rounding tips and have learned how to fix the blades that I did mess up. I've learned how to fix the little quirks you see in factory edges. I now have an edge I'm proud of. It is a very clean, uniform edge that is toothy and scary sharp. And it's this way on a bunch of different blade steels. I apologize for not having links to the threads or the names of the posters that described the "working edge". This thread was intended as an expression of appreciation.
I'm currently using Venev Orion stones in 150, 240, and 400 grit. For a heavy re-profile, I may start with a Poltava CBN 120 metallic stone but I'll follow it with the Venev 150 before progressing to the 240. After the 400, I'll usually strop with 6 micron Gunny Juice on a kangaroo leather strop. I hope you guys will tell me if I'm doing something wrong or can do something to get better.
