Using sandpaper with Wicked Edge.

N

NWangler

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Aug 31, 2015
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I'm still saving money to get the Wicked Edge pro pack 1. My question is can I use 1200/1600 grit sandpaper on the paddles in place of the fine ceramics? Also is there a quick way to brake in the diamonds?

Thanks in advance.
 
NWangler said:
I'm still saving money to get the Wicked Edge pro pack 1. My question is can I use 1200/1600 grit sandpaper on the paddles in place of the fine ceramics? Also is there a quick way to brake in the diamonds?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use sandpaper... you might also look at paper in the 2000-2500g range in addition to the 1200-1600 range. Can leave a decent polish. I've used Temporary Double Stick Tape to attach it. Works well and doesn't leave any noticeable residue on the stone.

I think the best way to break-in the stones is to get a few practice knives and just use them. It's good to practice anyway. Also realize you don't need to start with the most coarse stone, especially when they're new. I think that's a common mistake - starting with a more coarse stone than needed. I'm leery of 'fast break-in methods'... since it could actually cause excess wear. Let them break-in naturally.
 
Just to add to the great advise above. I've also used 1200, 1600, 2000 and 3000 sand paper. I am also using the 3M colored plastic lapping sheets that are measured in micron particle size. Using 3/4" double sided temporary tape, on strip from one end to the other on the paddle surface. I bought some blank glass paddles to put them on. Of course you cut them slightly larger than the paddle surface and as mentioned, use double sided temporary sticky tape. Right now there is only one seller that I know of on e bay selling an assortment of the sheets. Most other sellers are just selling like 50 to 100 sheets of the same color. I use a few drops of water on my sheets just before I get ready to start using them. Kinda rub the water around on the surface on the sheet after you've put it on the paddle. This helps keep a lot of the metal in suspension in the water so it doesn't clog the sheet too badly. Very light pressure always. I've been getting some incredible results. Great threads on the Wicked Edge site also. The owner Cliff is always there helping people out in there forums too. Pretty much no end to the ways you can come up with a wicked edge on all of your blades. Diamond paddles, Shapton and Naniwah(spelling?) stones, sandpaper, lapping film, nano cloth, kangaroo leather and good old leather strops. Diamond pastes and sprays from 14 micron all the way down to .025 micron. Yes, it gets insane, but guys like me love this stuff and no we are not tweekers!....lol
I really should start offering knife sharpening....Any way you want it. Except I can't afford the full Shapton stone series yet.
 
Workshop Heaven (UK) is a good source for cheap 3M Aluminum Oxide lapping films, 40 to 0.05 micron.
The reverse side is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) so you can peel the backing paper off and stick them to a surface.
One A4 sheet ($3.60) will give you 20 strips that will fit the WE stones or blanks.

http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/3M_Lapping_Film.html

Frans
 
I would let them break in naturally, especially if they are evenly diamond coated, no extra course spots or anything. On some of my cheaper diamond stones, I rubbed them together to break them in, but mostly because they had big pieces and were clustered and sporatic. If you want to break them in, if you need to do a complete re-bevel or new angle on a knife edge, start with that, then they will be great after that!
 
That is exactly what I did, broke the 400 - 600 diamond paddles in re-profiling a few knives. They seem normal now.
 
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