Washboard free hand sharpening system - first impression

HeavyHanded said:
....Compare the cost of the Washboard to some of the pre-made strop paddles, the cost of an adjustable waterstone holder or a waterstone flattening plate....thousands of options for sharpening out there
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:D Indeed, there is no shortage of "cheap" sharpening supplies, I just came across Nesmuk Strop Knife Sharpener, only $249.99 for a four sided strop paddle , three sides loaded with diamonds, ’rough’ side (20 µm diamond), ’medium’ side “ (5 µm diamond), then ’fine’ (1 µm diamond) and ’very fine’ (no diamond, bare leather) ...
 
Bucketstove,

You seem to be focusing on the washboard in a very negative way. Is there some sort of problem? I know you love cheap sharpening supplies, but why do you keep attacking this system that's made by a respected member of BF?

Brian.
 
mykem said:
Here's my comment. 21+ minutes is not a "brief" video. No thanks. Based on the length alone, I won't be watching it.

I wonder what this guy considers a long video?
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You can watch from 15:45 - the conclusion part; 21 minutes is short in terms of testing\reviewing 45 min is long.
I want people will see how it works, and in sharpening it takes time.
 
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bgentry said:
Nice review. Makes me want one even more now. :)

Have you tried shelf liner on your table top to keep the washboard in place? I'm talking about the rubberized sheets that look like a bunch of "dots" stuck together. They tend to stick to most surfaces mildly and keep things from sliding around. I'm talking about something like this:

10025888ProGripShelfLinerBlk_600.jpg


Brian.
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Thanks,
I got a rubber plate, very grippy, helps me to keep my whetstons stable, so i'll use that.
Martin also gave some useful tips on the matter.
 
bucketstove said:
:D Indeed, there is no shortage of "cheap" sharpening supplies, I just came across Nesmuk Strop Knife Sharpener, only $249.99 for a four sided strop paddle , three sides loaded with diamonds, ’rough’ side (20 µm diamond), ’medium’ side “ (5 µm diamond), then ’fine’ (1 µm diamond) and ’very fine’ (no diamond, bare leather) ...
Click to expand...

Actually I was comparing it to the 20 bucks for most unloaded strop paddles and waterstone holders, the 40 bucks for some of the flattening plates. I realize it isn't your $1 imported stone, but at the price point of the WB, lumping it in with a $249 diamond grit strop is ridiculous to the point of dishonesty. :D
 
I purchased a WB system to try it out. I usually use diamond plate sharpeners and a strop as I don't want to contend with having to keep stones level nor worry about dropping a stone and having it shatter. Just put three of my pocket knives on the WB and got good results. One thing I like is the 120 grit paper will surely help re-profile an edge quickly. I don't do any hard use cutting so I like my knives to be slicey. Didn't find the WB difficult to use and liked the plain paper with compound to strop at the end. With any freehand system/method, there is a learning curve and technique to master but it translates from one freehand method to another. Good product and it will stay flat for ever, no worrying about having a stone cup on you after a while.
 
Just wanted to add, silicon carbide paper will sharpen harder steels like 3V no problem. Cheap waterstones like King won't sharpen 3V very well at all ( I know from experien$e). My system for convex edges now mainly uses my Naniwa Chosera waterstones to sharpen, and I use Washboard to strop. I have done full sharpening on my Bravo Necker 2 in 3V on the washboard as well, and it works fantastic.

The key point I have seen is no edge rounding with the WB. I tried convexing a BK11 using sandpaper on a mousepad and it sucked. Eventually figured out I was rounding the edge too much. Convexed an Ontario paring knife on the WB, and the edges were really crisp.
 
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