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Should CPM 20CV Be Stropped?
- Thread starter Razor
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2018
- Messages
- 1,472
All depends on if you’re happy with the edge. From what I hear, their blades are usually sharp from factory. If you want it a bit slicier then strop.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2018
- Messages
- 219
As above, if you’re happy with the edge then no. When it comes time to sharpen it, stropping with a diamond compound after you’ve sharpened it on diamond plates will help remove any residual burrs and produce a more refined edge
DeadboxHero
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2014
- Messages
- 5,537
Stropping or not stropping is not steel specific.
Usually for factory edges you can get a little bit of improvement to the sharpness by stopping the factory edge.
It doesn't turn lead to gold however.
Also, sometimes you can make the edge smoothed over due to inconsistent angle or just the condition of the factory edge prior to stropping.
It's often forgotten that stropping as an ENHANCER not a CREATOR.
So if you wanted it that much sharper, you would have to apex the bevel at your desired angles, clean off the burr on the stone and then strop for the best result.
The better the edge, the better the strop can enhance.
I have a Buck Vanguard 20cv with a nice factory edge, pretty even bevels, around 15-16 dps. Stropping definitely helps to return the blade to optimal, like-new sharpness without having to actually refresh the edge on a stone.
When I start seeing symptoms of minor edge wear/damage, I strop it on a hard wood block that's covered with CBN solution. I don't use a soft material like leather as I don't want to round the edge. Maybe 10 strokes each side on either 4 micron CBN, or 1 micron CBN, quickly brings it back.
But with 20cv, there's other options. If you don't get into stropping, you can maintain it equally well or better (with slightly greater metal removal) by using REALLY light strokes on a higher-grit diamond or CBN stone (4 micron or finer).
When I start seeing symptoms of minor edge wear/damage, I strop it on a hard wood block that's covered with CBN solution. I don't use a soft material like leather as I don't want to round the edge. Maybe 10 strokes each side on either 4 micron CBN, or 1 micron CBN, quickly brings it back.
But with 20cv, there's other options. If you don't get into stropping, you can maintain it equally well or better (with slightly greater metal removal) by using REALLY light strokes on a higher-grit diamond or CBN stone (4 micron or finer).