Video Review – HeavyHanded "Washboard" Strop

Magnaminous_G

Magnaminous_G

Joined
Jul 13, 2011
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2,090
Well last night I decided to test out my HH Washboard Strop. I attempted to replicate HH’s routine of sharpening on coarse stones (DMT XC/C to approximate a Norton Crystolon C/F), followed by the Washboard using heavy stock copy paper. I used three steps: Sear’s black compound, FlexCut Gold, and plain copy paper (thank you HH for sending me the samples of Sear’s and the FlexCut compounds).

Impressions: you'll have to watch the video, but in short, two thumbs way up. It’s a quality, well-made object that gives great feedback during stropping and really excels at cleaning up the edge without dulling or rounding the apex. I think anyone who is serious about sharpening would be well-off to have one in their repertoire.

Sorry for the slow pace of the video. :D


[youtube]CrgYOUmXlzE[/youtube]
 
Awesome review of a great product, thanks M. for doing it!
I can only second your opinion, excellent finishing product without the risk of rounding the apex. This belongs in any sharpening shop !!
 
Mag, very glad it worked as described! Also glad I improved my tooling, forgot how good your camera is with the close-ups compared to my antique - no Mulligans with that thing!

I could go on for a while about how I came up with this, many conversations with David Martin hammering out what might be possible. Then the research posted by JD Wijbenga (? apologies, I cannot remember your correct username spelling) that should be required reading before entering the MT&E subforum:

http://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info 20m/grinding_and_honing_part_2.pdf
http://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info 20m/grinding_and_honing_part_1.pdf

throw into the mix all the great information and experimentation on stropping, waterstones and paper wheels on this site, and I became convinced it was possible to make a stropping/backhoning system that was maximum portable and flexible. Use whatever compound you want. Works best with copy paper, can be used with thicker or thinner paper as available, multiple sheets for convex/Scandi. I generally leave the last plain finishing sheet wrapped around it, and next time I need to touch up an edge, apply whatever compound for the edge I'm creating. Seriously minimizes steel removal.

Sincere thanks to all contributors to MT&E, this is great resource - cannot be said enough. Am upgrading my member status so I can offer these for sale (cheap) on the forum very shortly. Hope to include some homebrew compound as well for folks that don't already have a preference.

Thanks to Andy as well as the other folks who were/are kind enough to test this idea out.

HH
 
HH, Mag,

The theory behind 'washboard' is interesting. During my travel, where I didn't have my full gear, a hotel note paper with texture + autosol was able to quickly strop back my only EDC for shaving.

When tested with non textured paper, it tends to round the edge. Going back to textured paper it brought the bite back.

Both tests done on glass backing.

HH, thanks for the research PDF. I must have missed it in previous discussion. And .. the fellow knifenut is J D Wijbenga indeed ;)

Edit to add, Mag's video now appears on MxTube. Will download & watch later.
 
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Waiting for some time to watch the video, but I have used rough watercolor paper with and w/o compound to strop and it does the job.
 
This method was recommended to me (with credit to HeavyHanded) by an other member and I have been using it for months. What is different is that I wrap the paper around my fine/coarse stone. I start on the coarse side then move to the fine. I will have to start using a plain piece of paper to finish because I haven't heard of that before.
 
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Mag,

You mentioned on the video that the knife was sharpened in another video and the edge was not there yet, and using the board to refine. Perhaps need to show how was it slicing paper before?

Do you recommend this as alternative for touch up instead of going back to the stones?
 
Squashfan said:
This method was recommended to me (with credit to HeavyHanded) by an other member and I have been using it for months. What is different is that I wrap the paper around my fine/coarse stone. I start on the coarse side then move to the fine. I will have to start using a plain piece of paper to finish because I haven't heard of that before.
Click to expand...

I'm glad wrapping the paper around the stone is working out for you. I originally started doing that after seeing Murray Carter do it on a video using newspaper, and then experimented using different papers with compound etc. I still recommend it highly as a way to finish an edge off, and a sheet of plain copy or writing paper works very well for a final polish whether toothy or refined.

With plain steels and lower RC fare like cheaper kitchen cutlery, hatchets, machetes etc, used with a little compound it generates enough abrasive action that one only needs to go back to the stone if the edge is really damaged or neglected.

Noticing the differences between coarse and fine sides, and from one stone type to another led me to design a base specifically for working with paper, bring on the Washboard. The basic principles are similar, the Washboard takes better advantage of them.

HH
 
Chris "Anagarika";12427964 said:
Mag,

You mentioned on the video that the knife was sharpened in another video and the edge was not there yet, and using the board to refine. Perhaps need to show how was it slicing paper before?

Do you recommend this as alternative for touch up instead of going back to the stones?
Click to expand...

Ask and ye shall receive. :D


[youtube]mrGzItOsobs[/youtube]
 
Mag, great video, and am glad to hear that HH will be offering the plates for sale. Two minor observations. Using your shirt as a wipe area reminds me of someone I know.;) You get your house shoes from the same store that I get mine from. All said in jest of course. I really did enjoy and learned some things from your video, as I have from your other videos. Keep them coming.

Blessings,

Omar
 
Mag,

Thanks for response, and especially using YT tag that appears on Opera Mini on my iPhone ! I too sometimes wipe them on my shirt or pants ;)

45Shooter,

I think HH will start offering this soon when he's ready. Just get in touch with him.
 
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45Shooter said:
Where do you get this strop?
Click to expand...

I hope to have a batch ready in a week or two at most, thanks for the interest. I'd hoped to make a few this weekend but a huge limb from my Norway Maple crashed right alongside my living room last night in a wind storm - ripped my electrical riser right off the house along with my cable - lucky it didn't flatten my living room with us inside!

Instant weekend project. The linemen fixed the power late last night in a warm downpour with heat lightning (those guys are great!). Along with my chainsaw, I'll be using my machete quite a bit today - sure am glad I have a Washboard to keep it razor sharp! ;)
:rolleyes:
 
Chris "Anagarika";12433422 said:
Thank goodness you and family are ok and just need to do instant weeken project!
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah - could've been much worse. High winds came up out of nowhere, "this isn't good" I'm thinking, then a real loud CRACK. I went to the window and saw it land right alongside our living room addition, maybe 8 ft away. Lights didn't even flicker as the electrical got tore off the house. Looking up into the canopy I can't figure out how it managed to miss the house. Put a dent in the top of my gas grill, didn't even rip the gutter off.

And the icing on the cake, I have material for a pretty good review of my Tramontina 14" bolo. The thing is amazing.
 
Obviously your Guardian Angels were working overtime! Really glad to hear no one was harmed and that the damage was minimal. Now what to do with all that Norway Maple wood? Should make some great spoons. :confused:

Blessings,

Omar
 
OHALLUM said:
Obviously your Guardian Angels were working overtime! Really glad to hear no one was harmed and that the damage was minimal. Now what to do with all that Norway Maple wood? Should make some great spoons. :confused:

Blessings,

Omar
Click to expand...

Actually, I left the skeleton from the largest limb so the kids could play on it - had to do a bunch of leveling before I was comfortable with that, but very stable. Once they get bored, it'll go with the rest - more firewood! Which reminds me, I was supposed to finish rebuilding the cap on my chimney, and now I have a bunch of holes in my siding to fix...

Here's some pics - included a pic of a Washboard so maybe this doesn't count as a total hijack?



Limb_Down_zps8a480f05.jpg
Tram_14_zpsf0bf5257.jpg
Brushpile_zps542eebb4.jpg
 
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