Sharpmaker UF Rods vs. Strop

C

colin8

Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
382
I am interested in taking the next step in knife sharpening and am stuck between getting the ultra-fine replacement rods for the sharpmaker and a leather strop. Which one will give me the best results? All my knives are sharp sufficiently sharp but I am looking to get them hair-popping sharp, just for my own personal satisfaction. I know neither of these items are too expensive, and I will probably eventually end up owning both, but for now I want to just get one.

Right now I am leaning towards the strop, but that could change with any input I might get. Also if anyone would like to recommend a particular strop and/or compound, please feel free.
 
Go with the UF rods first or just get both :D
The UF rods will greatly improve the edge, sharp enough to whittle hair and almost no burr. Using a strop with compound after will make it even better, I like to use two strops, both leather, one with 1 micron diamond spray and the other with 0.5 micron diamond spray. The final edge is incredibly sharp.

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The strop with CrO have a higher grit than the UF rods, you could just get the UF rods and a stick of .5micron chromium oxide and rub it onto cardboard.
 
Alright thanks for the help guys, I guess my next order will include some UF rods.

One more question though... I just worked on my D2 Grip last night, and it took a long time but I finally got it semi-shaving sharp with the fine rods, along with a piece of cardboard for stropping. The belly of the blade shaves pretty easily, but the back of the blade takes a significant amount of pressure to do the same thing. Should I just work it more with the fine rods, or go back to the medium? Sorry if this sounds kind of dumb, I am just not that great sharpening the harder steels, I can't ever seem to feel the bevel except for after working the diamond rods.
 
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