Work Sharp KO M2-after the included set progression...then what?

[bdaabat]

Howdy folks! I'm curious what next steps might be after going through the proscribed progression using the Work Sharp KO Mk2.

The machine includes suggestions for which belts to use in what order. I've been using the machine for the past week or so and am able to get reasonably good edges on my very basic kitchen knives. They cut food store flyers and magazine paper fine. They do not cut cigarette rolling paper well.

After using the micromesh belt, do folks typically strop? Or, is that micromesh belt serving as the strop part of the process?

Or, am I being a bit too OCD?

Thanks!
Bruce

 

[JimDaysen]

Howdy folks! I'm curious what next steps might be after going through the proscribed progression using the Work Sharp KO Mk2.

The machine includes suggestions for which belts to use in what order. I've been using the machine for the past week or so and am able to get reasonably good edges on my very basic kitchen knives. They cut food store flyers and magazine paper fine. They do not cut cigarette rolling paper well.

After using the micromesh belt, do folks typically strop? Or, is that micromesh belt serving as the strop part of the process?

Or, am I being a bit too OCD?

Thanks!
Bruce

Try stropping with 1µm diamond paste on leather. If your edge still struggles with rolling paper, the angle might be inconsistent. Use a Sharpie to check even grind lines.

 

[Wowbagger]

Work Sharp KO M2-after the included set progression...then what?​

I would , personally , buy and use an Edge Pro Apex.
And I do .
Belt grinders are OK , I guess , for thinning out an over built knife blade (which I do to many / most of the knives I buy and use ) and for profilng knives which are WAY too thick behind the edge .

Still . . . they generate too much heat and must be watched like a starved hawk watches it's prey not to over heat the edge .

Yes once all that ugly trauma to a perfectly good hunk of heat treated knife steel ; I tend to "simmer down" and for actual SHARPENING just make a few light passes with a little stone or two in my Edge Pro and the knife will last for generations of use .

It is funny to me ( and sad at the same time ) when I see people "sharpening " their knife blades and in the process turning them into goofy looking little worn away things in a few years just from over zealous use of a too coarse stone flailing way for hundreds of strokes (or too many feet per second on a belt) hoping that they will hit the edge right at some point .

Heck with an an Edge Pro I can and do make box knife blades last for a decade . (Some of my pocket utility knives have required "customized" blades to make an other wise brilliant knife design practical ; see the Aerocrafted Sideslip Titanium utility knife and my Review / Solution on the big river .)

THERE . How's that for a rabbit hole ?

 

[kane22]

I have a belt sander. I only use for some cheaper kitchen knives, and to repair/reprofile an edge for the most part. I've gotten pretty good with it, but you can take more steel off than you want to really fast. My KME is what I use most of the time.
I don't know how fine a micromesh belt is. If you have a leather belt, you can use it for a strop and see if you get any improvement. It's free. You can make a denim strop too, if you have a flat piece of scrap wood and an old pair of jeans. I've used white and green compound in the inside of a cereal box. Another cheap option to try. The diamond emulsion sprays are nice. I have 9,6, and 1mu, it's not something you have to have though.
Also be aware you can strop too much...or more likely at a slightly higher angle and your edge will be slightly rounded and smooth. Not the end of the world, just go back to your last belt or stone and give it a pass or two.