Tips on Sharpening Cheap Steels

[TheOne45]

Yeah, my style is different. I don't sharpen one side to a burr and then flip.

it was just an example. In each case there is a burr... bigger or smaller.
The point was one stone and one strop.... as simple as possible.
I could also skip the strop and remove a burr with micro bevel on the same stone but I don't do micro bevels.

 

[garry3]

"You, you, you"

No.

Us, we, all.

I went down the microscope rabbit hole for a little while with straight razors but it didn't hold my attention for long. I guess if I was after the sharpest edge possible I would have found a microscope more useful but I don't have much use for those kind of edges.

We probably enjoy sharpening for different reasons and have different goals. It's all good....

 

[TheOne45]

Sometimes microscope is usefull when playing and discovering new things.
What happens with the edge if you do 30 strokes on the strop at sharpening angle?
What happens if you do additional 100 strokes and then 50 more strokes?

 

[me2]

I don't believe it's possible to apex an edge without forming a burr. When you reach the apex, some metal is going to push over to the other side. But I get the notion to trying to keep it to a minimum (maybe even one that's so small you can't feel it with a thumb). To get the ultimate edge, it's not enough to just break off the burr. You also have to refine what Wootz referred to as the "burr root," or the base where the burr was attached. The smaller the burr is to begin with, the less refining you have to do.

I realize we’re mostly talking about steel knives, but ceramic knives may offer some insight into sharpening without a burr.

 

[TheOne45]

ceramic knives may offer some insight into sharpening without a burr.

Ceramin knives do not form a burr when sharpening. Ceramic does not behave the same way as steel.
Check 'scienceofsharp' site. There is article with photos 'Ceramic Blades'.