Touch-ups with an Edge Pro Apex?

S

SarcoBlaster

Joined
Jul 1, 2002
Messages
602
Would it be wise to use the Apex for a simple touch-up using say, the 3000 grit polishing tapes or the 600 grit stone if the tape won't bring the edge back? The reason I ask this is because I sharpened my knives using the 21 degree setting and since the Sharpmaker only has a 15 and 20 degree setting, I'm out of luck there.

Also, I just thought of something that I might be doing wrong... when setting the angle, are the colored dots supposed to be above the pivot, covered by the pivot so that only a sliver of color is showing, or should the little notch in the dots be aligned with the top of the pivot?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
SarcoBlaster,

I use my Apex for everything from complete regrinds to touch-ups. I've also improvised a polishing setup based on another forumite's idea. (I'm ashamed to say I can't remember who it was...)

1. Order a spare aluminium blank from Edge Pro.
2. Glue a 6" x 1" piece of old belt leather to it.
3. Impregnate the leather with your favourite polishing compound.
4. Use this "stone" as you would any other from the set.

I sharpen at 21°, then use the leather "stone" at 24° to put a microbevel on the blade and remove any residual roughness.

Edge Pro Apex instruction manual, top of page 2: "Set the stone arm so that the desired angle indicator is showing just above the pivot."

maximus otter
 
EdgePro is great for removing material, and establishing a bevel. Touchups are more about realigning the edge.
Tilt the spine of your blade inward a touch on the sharpmaker to increase the angle. A little higher angle than the bevel is fine.
I'd resharpen my blades to a lower angle. The only thing I use 20 degrees or higher per side for are very cheap and soft stainless blades that I sharpen for other people. A lower angle primary edge with a narrower/steeper final or "micro" bevel is much easier to touch up, realign, or resharpen without removing much material, and will cut much better, too. I mirror polish the entire bevel except for that final edge, whose grit will vary based on what the knife is being used for. Remember that the very edge does the cutting. Everything behind it is just added resistance.
 
OwenM said:
EdgePro is great for removing material, and establishing a bevel. Touchups are more about realigning the edge.
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Click to expand...

I gotta agree here, touch ups are generaly quick fixes, and unless your EdgePro is set up constantly, then it no longer is a quick touch up if you have to set up equipment.

Learn to sharpen freehand and realize that the EdgePro is just a tool, not the Holy Grail of Knife Sharpening,( I just want to add that the EdgePro, without a doubt is the BEST TOOL on the market for it's job, short of a Bader Belt Grinder and 20 years experience knife making)
 
The trick for me with touch ups and the Edge Pro is to know exactly what the main cutting angle is on the knife I am sharpening. I record these details
in a book. Then if I want to touch up any blade, I can set the angle to exactly match the main grind or a few degrees steeper depending on my choice of hone to use for the touch up.( Leather stuck to a blank, white ceramic hone or polishing tape.)

My success with the Edge Pro is all about repeatability. It is so quick to use when you can set it to each blade exactly.
 
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