Washboard bases as guides

HeavyHanded

HeavyHanded

Joined
Jun 4, 2010
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Short video showing how to make use of the plug in bases/substrate pins for an improvised angle guide. Works very well in this capacity. One could elevate an end using all manner of shims, but since the blocks are already there, mount securely, and create a known and repeatable incline, is pretty convenient to use them.

[video=youtube;rPCws055hiY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPCws055hiY[/video]
 
I think that's a great idea! Using this will give you a feel for the "right" and constant angle over time and makes one better freehand on any stone/surface. Thanks for sharing HH.
 
awestib said:
I think that's a great idea! Using this will give you a feel for the "right" and constant angle over time and makes one better freehand on any stone/surface. Thanks for sharing HH.
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Most are somewhat familiar with my views on stuff like this - don't use a guide! But there's no doubt it can be a big help if used with a bit of care. It also sets you out on a clean angle of known value so you can bounce back and forth very quickly between freehand guided and straight freehand. Just follow the established edge and correct as needed. Between the rubber on the base and the sandpaper on the other end it stays put pretty well. Aside from special cases, all my cutlery is held at 30* or 26* anyway - I didn't plan on those angles, is just how it worked out when I started stacking the bases.

Martin

ETA: Thanks for watching!
 
Hi Martin....I am still a little confused re the polishing compound use with paper. I have what you sent me plus some white and red.

Do I keep adding compound as I go? Also can I use paper and compound to get rid of small scratches on the blade?
 
EyeDog said:
Hi Martin....I am still a little confused re the polishing compound use with paper. I have what you sent me plus some white and red.

Do I keep adding compound as I go?
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The white you have is most likely a reasonably fine aluminum oxide and will work fine, might even be a touch more fine than the material with the kit. Will work but won't be able to do the same amount of repair and maintenance as the grey silicon carbide. The red is likely iron oxide and is only good for softer metals like brass, silver, gold.

You can keep adding some compound as you go as long as the paper is in good shape. I prefer to rub it down good with some paper towel and pick up most of it before re-applying after I've made 20-30 passes. The compound (any compound) will accumulate removed steel and turn a darker color - as it loads up it looses effectiveness, so I tend to refresh it fairly often. Depends on how its used. If I'm coming off of the 600 grit paper and stropping for refinement, the paper is likely to be a bit loaded after 20 passes or so. If the knife is already polished up and I'm maintaining it, a handful of passes every so often and the paper can last a long time with the same application.

One of the benefits of the Washboard using paper for the strop surface is you can swap it out when it loads up, no need to clean it if you don't want to. When in doubt, rub it down and re apply or recycle the paper and use a fresh sheet - any copy or writing paper will do.

This is the video where I introduced the silicon carbide compound and detail the best practices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls0WJp08iVY&feature=youtu.be




EyeDog said:
Also can I use paper and compound to get rid of small scratches on the blade?
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You can, but use three or four sheets of paper as a base or you might see the imprint from the tooth pattern in the board. The grey stuff I supply will leave a hazy finish, not quite satin but close. Rubbing the initial hit down with a paper towel will leave mostly the finer abrasives and make the finish a bit brighter yet. Your white compound will do a good job for cosmetic polishing as well.
 
You can, but use three or four sheets of paper as a base or you might see the imprint from the tooth pattern in the board. The grey stuff I supply will leave a hazy finish, not quite satin but close. Rubbing the initial hit down with a paper towel will leave mostly the finer abrasives and make the finish a bit brighter yet. Your white compound will do a good job for cosmetic polishing as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks my friend....I'll give this try.
 
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