Ultra-fine rods and a strop

KeithAM

KeithAM

Joined
Dec 15, 2003
Messages
3,154
I was messing around today and here's what the ultra-fine rods can do followed by a few passes on a chromium oxide charged leather strop.

The hair was free hanging straight down between thumb and forefinger, and the hair is pretty fine (from wife's hairbrush).

UKPK:

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So, you don't need fancy expensive Japanese waterstones and the like to whittle hair with your Spydies.
 
I've had this one for a few years and it shows no sign of needing to be recharged. However, recharging is simple. Green chromium oxide blocks are available at most hardware stores -- usually near where they sell grinders. For example, Sears Hardware sells it. From Sears it's only about $3 for a bar that would probably last decades for recharging a strop.

And like I've said before, lots of people make their own. I've made functional strops using only a piece of smooth cardboard and rubbing it with the chromium oxide block.

I should also say I was able to get one knife to easily split free hanging hair without stropping at all - just polished the edge with the ultra-fine rods.
 
I am on my way to Sears!
I've been checking in on this forum once in a while but have not posted yet. I am breaking my silence in order to thank you for letting me know where to get some CrO locally.
Up til now, I can get my Spydies to whittle hair while I'm holding it, but not free-hanging. Hopefully that will change tonight. My wife thinks I use my knives so much just so I have a reason to keep sharpening them- she's right ;)
Thank you, Sir!
--
Dan (in NY)
 
Good for you!

I find with stropping works best if I:

1. use trailing strokes;

2. use as little preasure as possible; and

3. find the correct angle by feel -- start with the blade flat on the strop, and as you draw it back across the strop, begin to slowly raise the spine until you feel the edge drag on the strop. It's subtle, but it's there. You shouldn't have to raise the spine very high before you hit it.
 
I would have to aggree with you on that one. I go through the 30/40 with Diamond rods- UF depending on how bad the knife is dull. Usually I just touch it up on the UF and finish off on a strop with CrO

Clay3
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Delica 4 wave in foliage green
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Bm 558 "wave"
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Hk 14210
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Great photos Chinese man! :thumbup:

More examples of why the UF rods are worth it.
 
Do you use the corners of your UF? I tend to find that I never use them, except for a recurve like the HK 14210. I also seem to be get the best results with just the flats. I'm guessing that I round the edge with the corners. :jerkit:
 
Chinese man said:
Do you use the corners of your UF? I tend to find that I never use them, except for a recurve like the HK 14210. I also seem to be get the best results with just the flats. I'm guessing that I round the edge with the corners. :jerkit:
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I avoid the corners and use them only when sharpening a recurve. I also use very light strokes.
 
KeithAM said:
I avoid the corners and use them only when sharpening a recurve. I also use very light strokes.
Click to expand...

Keith, do you have any DMT diamond stones to compare the UF rods to? I've considered the UF benchstone from Spyderco, which a local store has in stock, but I've always liked the edge my fine DMT stone left better than my ceramic rods. It feels cleaner and sharper. Then again, the Spyderco ceramics are probably higher quality than a 5$ ceramic rod. I thought the UF benchstone would do nicely for touch-ups or the last step before stropping.
 
I think I was just sold into buying the ultra fine sharpener to go along with my gatco pro I have. That and to get a strop, along with a spydie lol.
 
Vivi said:
Keith, do you have any DMT diamond stones to compare the UF rods to? I've considered the UF benchstone from Spyderco, which a local store has in stock, but I've always liked the edge my fine DMT stone left better than my ceramic rods. It feels cleaner and sharper. Then again, the Spyderco ceramics are probably higher quality than a 5$ ceramic rod. I thought the UF benchstone would do nicely for touch-ups or the last step before stropping.
Click to expand...


I say just get it. If you don't like it sell it.
 
For those not using the sharpmaker system Gatco makes super & ultra fine stones as well that will work with their systems and Lanskys
 
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