Stropping Compound Results

c7m2p3 said:
What steels are you doing this with?
Click to expand...

Well, I've owned K390, S110V, and ZDP-189 and got them all sharp by the method above, but I have restricted my steels to simpler alloys lately. The most advanced I go now is S30V or CTS-XHP, but mostly I use AEB-L, 1084, 8Cr13MoV, and will be using a lot more 15N20 shortly. I "like" sharpening, but I would rather do it more frequently for much less time at once, than less frequently, but have to spend a half hour or more doing it. I used to sharpen on grits up to 1500 and above, but I no longer see the need to spend all that time. I reprofile blunt edges back to 15° per side apex on 320 and 600 grit diamond, then I microbevel to 20° on my coarse SharpMaker rods, and I'm good to go. If I feel it needs to have that extra smooth feel after that, I strop on bare leathers. But make no mistake, I'll never shave my face with a blade I've sharpened like this. But I'll use it for -and it will excel at - everything else.
 
I like CBN compound, and diamond.

I use the Edge-Pro to get my better blades to 98-99 percent of what I want and compound, bare leather, balsa, or denim,etc. for the last one or two percent.

I do this for a hobby, not for a living, so if it takes two hours to get exactly the edge that I want, then so be it.

If a knife won't dry-shave my face, it isn't sharp enough to please me.:eek:
 
Ben Dover said:
I do this for a hobby, not for a living, so if it takes two hours to get exactly the edge that I want, then so be it.
Click to expand...

Great point, and easily explains some of the differences between our edge philosophies.

Ben Dover said:
If a knife won't dry-shave my face, it isn't sharp enough to please me.:eek:
Click to expand...

That is an impressive skill sir!
 
David, that's the difference between doing it for fun VS doing it for profit.:)

I dearly love sharpening an old well used Buck or Gerber for a friend, and telling him: "Now take it into the bathroom and shave with it!"

Just the look on their faces makes it worth the effort!:D
 
Just for the record: I have fun doing what I do, even if it's for a small profit. :thumbsup: :D
 
Ben Dover said:
I like CBN compound, and diamond.

I use the Edge-Pro to get my better blades to 98-99 percent of what I want and compound, bare leather, balsa, or denim,etc. for the last one or two percent.

I do this for a hobby, not for a living, so if it takes two hours to get exactly the edge that I want, then so be it.

If a knife won't dry-shave my face, it isn't sharp enough to please me.:eek:
Click to expand...

I will try and get some sandpaper to take out the first layer of compound on my strops and give bear leather a shot. Thanks
 
If I am looking for a super keen edge it will be on kitchen knifes, I will be coming off a natural of some sort and two or three lite passes on newspaper does it for me.
 
garry3 said:
If I am looking for a super keen edge it will be on kitchen knifes, I will be coming off a natural of some sort and two or three lite passes on newspaper does it for me.
Click to expand...

Have you ever tried 2 or 3 light passes on denim?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top