Sharpening Superstition?

SirGeod

SirGeod

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Does anyone else of BF have a certain way they go about sharpening or stropping? I personally strop each side consecutively counting from one to ten and then back down again. I'd be interested to hear what kinds of things you guys do :p
 
I tend to use 3 or 4 strokes on one side, then 3 or 4 on the other. No reason, just habit.
 
I try to avoid getting into set routines, at least so far as counting strokes is concerned. In reality, I don't count strokes anyway. Every blade and every situation will be different, and I tend to focus more on watching closely what the edge is doing as I'm working. I do a lot of test-cutting of paper as I'm sharpening, and that'll tell me more about whether the edge is 'getting there' or if it's ready to go.

I suppose the closest thing to superstition that affects my sharpening habits, is avoiding sharpening at all, unless my mind-set is right. If I'm in an off-mood, or feeling unfocused or otherwise tired, I don't bother. I think this goes beyond superstition though, as the results always show the difference.


David
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I try to avoid getting into set routines, at least so far as counting strokes is concerned. In reality, I don't count strokes anyway. Every blade and every situation will be different, and I tend to focus more on watching closely what the edge is doing as I'm working. I do a lot of test-cutting of paper as I'm sharpening, and that'll tell me more about whether the edge is 'getting there' or if it's ready to go.

I suppose the closest thing to superstition that affects my sharpening habits, is avoiding sharpening at all, unless my mind-set is right. If I'm in an off-mood, or feeling unfocused or otherwise tired, I don't bother. I think this goes beyond superstition though, as the results always show the difference.


David
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That's my feelings also, I raise a burr on each side throughout the whole blade, stop a lot to see what's going on, keep a eye on the tip, test it. But getting over sharpening a new knife that I'm not sure I'm going to keep is the hardest thing.
 
Krav said:
That's my feelings also, I raise a burr on each side throughout the whole blade, stop a lot to see what's going on, keep a eye on the tip, test it. But getting over sharpening a new knife that I'm not sure I'm going to keep is the hardest thing.
Click to expand...

About the same, lots of feeling with my fingers along the way and slowly removing the burr once I have it. I use a marker only on the tip to make sure im not rounding it. With a diamond to reprofile or with a damaged edge I use 3 strokes per side. Once I have an edge established I use 1 stroke per side. Heel to tip only once on the sharpmaker. Working to the strop at the end. Back on forth heel to tip until that edge is smooth as my babys bottom. She cuts like a razor for weeks.
 
Superstitions? No. But I do have a very specific routine. Not a routine like X strokes per side then yada yada yada... A routine as in I always get my tools setup the same in a little half circle around my work space, always have the same tools/stones/crap in the same spot, adjust my chair (or table if I'm standing) so I'm working at the same height, make sure my light is the same and like others have pointed out I've gotta be feeling it or I don't even bother.
 
I would call your superstition OCD... Haha! I never count when sharpening or stropping. Just do what I do until I get the desired result
 
I only have one superstition regarding knife sharpening: I always wear my lucky boots. Well, ever since my foot healed up.:o

Kinda like when the bread always lands jelly side down...
 
I'm not OCD, I just like doing things the same way all the time, all the time, all the time...... :-)
 
I usually go for nice even numbers. The counting keeps me going. I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker, so I usually do 10 passes per blade side, so that evens out to 20 per corner and flat, then the other stones, so 80 strokes total. I figure that's about as nice a number as I need. Takes me a few minutes to do it and it's a nice relaxing habit.
 
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