Verhoeven Sharpening Paper Revisited

[me2]

Its been discussed here before, but I just reread the sharpening research published by Verhoeven of Iowa State University. For those who havent read it, get hold of a copy somewhere. Its great information for finishing to high sharpness. It does not address toothy or coarse finished edges.

The question I want some information about is related to the diamond or CrO compounds on slow turning wheels. We've all seen what the fast paper wheels can do, but is anyone using diamond or CrO on a slow moving paper or leather covered wheel? In the article, the best results came from using the Tormek leather covered wheel at 90 rpm with 1 micron diamond compound. Does anyone use a Tormek or a similar slow honing wheel they made themselves?

 

[Jason B.]

It's a very good read http://mse.iastate.edu/fileadmin/www.mse.iastate.edu/static/files/verhoeven/KnifeShExps.pdf

I tried handamerican's diamond spray on a leather belt for my 1x30 and some diamond paste on a small leather wheel, the results were not the same as when used on a hand strop. Results were the exact same with both, the first pass removed most of the diamond compound leaving just the bare leather. I think the diamond compound need to be slowly worked into the surface to be effective and because it goes on as such a thin coat its not a good option for a power polisher. I guess if you had a big tube of diamond paste you could use it on one but it would be costing you lots of money to sharpen a knife. Bar compounds are best for powered polishers and diamond compounds rule the world of the hand strop

I ended up wasting lots of diamond compound to sharpen one knife when for my 12x3 strop I only need 5 or 6 small dots and that allows me to use the strop 25 or 30 times. I think it would be nice if they made a diamond compound bar at a good price but I just don't think its gonna happen.

 

[Roger999]

I use a 1X30 belt sander running at 2800rpm with a surgi sharp leather belt loaded with CrO and I can get it to whittle hair in under a minute if I just finished with a 9micron belt. 90RPM seems extremely slow and kinda defeats the purpose of power stropping.

 

[gunmike1]

It's a very good read http://mse.iastate.edu/fileadmin/www.mse.iastate.edu/static/files/verhoeven/KnifeShExps.pdf

I tried handamerican's diamond spray on a leather belt for my 1x30 and some diamond paste on a small leather wheel, the results were not the same as when used on a hand strop. Results were the exact same with both, the first pass removed most of the diamond compound leaving just the bare leather. I think the diamond compound need to be slowly worked into the surface to be effective and because it goes on as such a thin coat its not a good option for a power polisher. I guess if you had a big tube of diamond paste you could use it on one but it would be costing you lots of money to sharpen a knife. Bar compounds are best for powered polishers and diamond compounds rule the world of the hand strop

I ended up wasting lots of diamond compound to sharpen one knife when for my 12x3 strop I only need 5 or 6 small dots and that allows me to use the strop 25 or 30 times. I think it would be nice if they made a diamond compound bar at a good price but I just don't think its gonna happen.

I found the diamond spray was wasted on the Razor Sharp paper wheels (3500 RPM), it just went away. For that type of sharpening I find the rouge block supplied with the kit to be the way to go, though it would be nice to find a finer grit. I find freehanding using either AO lapping film or leather loaded with diamonds to leave me with my best possible edges as far as sharpness and durability.

Mike

 

[hardheart]

90RPM seems extremely slow and kinda defeats the purpose of power stropping.

on a 10 inch wheel, it's like four passes a second on a foot long strop. you also get to hold the blade steady without bending your elbow along the pass.