- Joined
- Sep 16, 2002
- Messages
- 1,801
I think I kinda had an epiphany regarding my edges the other day. I have the basic, ceramics and both sets of strops down to 3 micron, and to go further than that I have other bench strops with 0.5 micron CrO2 powder as well as 0.25 micron diamond spray. Yeah, my edges are nice and shiny. What I found, has been the subject of many a debate in the sharpening discussions for a long time... what is better for general utility, a mirror polished edge or a slightly toothy micro serration edge? I have my Sebenza Insingo polished to a mirror shine with a 15 degree primary and 20 degree micro. It will tree top leg hair, whittle fine hair, push cut newsprint etc. You'd think this would be a perfect edge, but when I started cutting some paracord to make some bracelets and lanyards, you'd have thought I had a butter knife in my hand. The polished edge just didn't want to cut he cord. I would fold the cord over into a loop and pull it across the edge, and unless I put about 3-5 pounds (total estimate) of pressure, the cord would run right over the edge and barely cut into the outer sheath. I pulled out my BM 710 which I reprofiled to the same edge geometry as my Insingo, but haven't taken it past ceramic level sharpness. I folded the para cord into a loop and drug it across the edge, and it sliced it in two with the slightest of pressure. It was a night and day difference how much better the 710 cut than the Insingo. Now just for a level of comparison, my 710 will pop hair off my arm, but will not tree-top. It will whittle a coarse hair, but not fine hair. It will slice news print with ease, but not push cut it. So, long story short, I have decided that for my general use knives, I have no real need in taking the edge to such a mirrored polish. So, to 'help' my Sebenza a little, I proceeded to whip out my DMT diafold green, extra fine stone (I'm back in Afghanistan and the WEPS is at home) and gave the Insingo a few light passes on the micro bevel to bring it back down to a more useable grit. I'm much happier with the edge now. It will still shave and pop arm hair, but won't tree-top anymore. It will slice news print, but not push cut it. But the biggest difference is, it will now eat right through the para cord like it's a hot knife in butter. Much more utility friendly IMHO. So, I guess I've found my answer to the long debate of which is better, a mirror polish or a slightly toothy micro serrated edge??? For me, it's gotta be the micro serrations for my general, everyday tasks. As always, YMMV. While I like having a beautiful shiny mirror edge, I carry my knives to use them, and for my use, a mirror edge just isn't that useful. BTW, my Insingo still has a mirror primary, so it still looks nice. It's the micro bevel I brought back a few notches, so it has a bit more milky appearance. Anyway, that's my epiphany. 
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I got mine at the local hardware store. I keep all the steps separate and still have room for the pivot arms, length gauge, some micro fiber cloths, markers and jewelers loop. Really makes for a nice clean well organized work space. Now if I can just get the downdraft air handlers installed ....
