Where to get an 800 grit ceramic rod???

P

Psalm 150

Joined
Oct 8, 2003
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113
I want an 800 grit ceramic rod that is at-least 10-12" long that can be held in the hand. Not one that goes in a base.

I have searched and searched and found many Diamond Steels and smooth Ceramic steels, but I could only find one small handheld 5" Ceramic Rod that was actually 800 grit and that was here.

Could anyone please tell me where to get a larger one? Am I looking for something that is not made?

Thanks
 
Have you tried HandAmerican.com? Don't know about the 800 grit, but when you get a steel from them they also include a ceramic rod of the same size. (with handle and stropping leather sheath) Might be worth a look see.

Rob
 
http://www.handamerican.com/steel.html

i dont trust the idea of sharpening your knife as you steel it... it seems like you could save metal by realigning it, and then leather stropping/compound stropping/honeing it back to shape would save soem of the edge from getting stripped off... but i could be crazy. i could see where it would be nice on a chefs knife, but i hate how my 600 grit steel performs (though its not ceramic)... feels like im destroying my knife ever time ive used it...

im not going to be useing it on my nick any time soon :cool: seriously though... that knife is a long way off...:rolleyes:

the guys at hand american are very nice, and ship out in about a week for large orders, probably less for small ones.
 
What HandAmerican offers and reccomends is a half smooth and half grooved steel. You can be more or less agressive with the blade as required. Makes for a good option. When the blade is pretty dulled I go a few passes on the ceramic, a few passes on the grooved side, a rew passes on the smooth side then finish it up on the stropping leather sheath (with the steel inside).

Rob
 
Thanks guys,
I called handamerican today and talked to Keith. He was very nice and gave me a lot of time on the phone. I will be ordering one of his steels and a ceramic rod and some Chromium Oxide Powder from him.

He says that Chromium Oxide Powder is best for putting on leather for stropping. I'm looking forward to trying it.

I have another question for you Rob: (and anyone else who wants to jump on this)
The thing I am unsure about is whether or not to get full glass smooth or half grooved. I really wanted to get full smooth, so I was wondering how often you use the grooved part of your steel and how much of a difference it makes. I do have a couple of spots on my used BM-E that have slightly rolled over. What do you think? How much of a difference will a grooved steel make on that? Can I simply get it with more strokes on the smooth part of the steel, or will smooth never do?

Shane
 
Keith at HA recommends the half grooved and half smooth for MOST people. The grooves are extremely fine almost smooth, not at all like the coarse grooves you see on regular steels. It makes sense as you don't wack the blade on both sides of the steel like you see on TV or the movies while holding it in the air. Rather you rest the steel on a solid surface and stroke the blade on the one side of the steel. I just followed his reccomendation and ordered this configuration. I plan to get the same when I get a larger one. I have the 6" now for portability. Nice for the field, but a bit short for the kitchen.

As far as your BM, I'd ask Keith. He has probably forgotten more about sharpening than I'll ever know or go to the web site and read his article on steeling. Hope this helps.

Rob
 
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