Sticky updated

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
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I finally got around to updating my sticky on sharpening above. I was inspired to do so by the sheer number of positive responses to the thread (and almost 80k views), as well as finding out that people have quoted the thread in other forums, so I want to make sure it’s as accurate and up-to-date as possible. In addition to updating the information and adding all new sections (on stropping, edge retention, the Spyderco Sharpmaker, and more), I’ve updated and linked to my other thread from 2012 on sharpening technique and the excellent response to that thread by HeavyHanded, so it is now all there in one resource, complete with useful vids. Enjoy!

- Mag
 
Thanks for the updates, they are really appreciated....

Quick question on the 'stropping' portion and why it is not recommended that a strop be used To help keep an edge 'refined' in between sharpening?

It's no big secret that a strop is an excellent edge maintenance tool, and not just the final 'finish' after sharpening....

I could be wrong about all of this, but I use a strop to maintain my edges and go much farther in between pulling out the stones.
 
JR88FAN said:
Thanks for the updates, they are really appreciated....

Quick question on the 'stropping' portion and why it is not recommended that a strop be used To help keep an edge 'refined' in between sharpening?

It's no big secret that a strop is an excellent edge maintenance tool, and not just the final 'finish' after sharpening....

I could be wrong about all of this, but I use a strop to maintain my edges and go much farther in between pulling out the stones.
Click to expand...



You are quite welcome!

Is it recommended not to use a strop to help keep an edge between sharpenings? If that is the case, then I am in your camp, and I disagree with that recommendation. I also agree with you about stropping to maintain edges longer between sharpenings, depending on how heavily dulled the edge is, or if there is any damage. If I don't have a lot of edge damage and the knife is just less sharp after being in my pocket or being used lightly, I would definitely bring it back up with a few good swipes on the Strop Block, for example. For some knives, I would even bring a fairly dull edge back by stropping with some bark river black compound on a HeavyHanded washboard wrapped in paper. I've done that many times.
 
Magnaminous_G said:
You are quite welcome!

Is it recommended not to use a strop to help keep an edge between sharpenings? If that is the case, then I am in your camp, and I disagree with that recommendation. I also agree with you about stropping to maintain edges longer between sharpenings, depending on how heavily dulled the edge is, or if there is any damage. If I don't have a lot of edge damage and the knife is just less sharp after being in my pocket or being used lightly, I would definitely bring it back up with a few good swipes on the Strop Block, for example. For some knives, I would even bring a fairly dull edge back by stropping with some bark river black compound on a HeavyHanded washboard wrapped in paper. I've done that many times.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply.

I just wanted to pass that by you because there has been a lot of confusion around here about stropping and it's benefits...

For the record, I am not confused, but thanks for clearing it up.
You should add this info to the 'stropping' section of your excellent sharpening thread so I can just point people to your sticky if this conversation comes up again!!

Thank you.
 
HeavyHanded said:
Mag, good to have you back!

Martin
Click to expand...

Hey there, HH. :) Glad to see you're still here. Dang, son, you haven't been idle! I took a peak at the new washboard. I had to order me one. Folks, if you don't know what the original washboard looked like, check this out. This one is mine; I took the pic just now:

qDVg4Va.jpg



And here's the new and improved version!

9965170_orig.jpg
 
That's what I thought! Glad you're back M. It's been a while - where have you been?

Not to hijack this thread but do you remember recommending "Happy People - A year in the Taiga"? I watched it now, many times and love it. Amazing what skills can do to otherwise underprivileged people - or not at all underprivileged, I guess it depends how we look at it.
 
Mag,
Enjoy your prose and appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience. Dozier. Accuracy beats speed
 
Magnaminous_G said:
Hey there, HH. :) Glad to see you're still here. Dang, son, you haven't been idle! I took a peak at the new washboard. I had to order me one. Folks, if you don't know what the original washboard looked like, check this out. This one is mine; I took the pic just now:

qDVg4Va.jpg



And here's the new and improved version!

9965170_orig.jpg
Click to expand...

They've come a ways since the earliest proof-of-concept plates, that's for sure!

I keep my prototype near the workbench and use it from time to time, still works great. But the new ones are pretty slick - I think you'll like the improvements.
 
awestib said:
That's what I thought! Glad you're back M. It's been a while - where have you been?

Not to hijack this thread but do you remember recommending "Happy People - A year in the Taiga"? I watched it now, many times and love it. Amazing what skills can do to otherwise underprivileged people - or not at all underprivileged, I guess it depends how we look at it.
Click to expand...

Hey Awestib. :) Glad to see you're still here, too! I have watched that movie multiple times. I always find myself marveling at those folks. I've been out of the country for the most part, but am back now.
 
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