Thread: Microbevels with the Shapton 30000

Originally Posted by kevint

I am unaware that Mike's testing requires staying behind the edge as you describe the knife guy doing, as you say he is.

that is not what he said
In this case however,(missing from your overview) the only real advantage is reducing the number of strokes to establish the finish edge.

Kevin,

Mike's technique is not calling for an outright "reduction of the relief angle", as done in knife sharpening, but the concept of what that guy in the picture is doing is very similar to what I think we (everyone, not just this thread) are trying to do by not over sharpening the edge on a razor. IMO he goes about it in a very deliberate manner, which is in the same spirit as this experiment. As Northpaw pointed out, it is a pure 30K edge, with no scratches left by previous stones (in theory). The picture proves this is obtainable.

Mike, I do admit that Tom's lecture on the needs and purpose of spine taping was a touch insulting. I should have let it pass unnoticed.

It wasn't meant to be a lecture, IMO. I was stating my reasons for taping the spine. Personally, I am not a big fan of taping, but I do not denounce it, either. I'm very much an "ends justifies the means" sharpener.

My earlier point should have only been taken as a reminder of how the math does not support the premise that significant strengthening will occur with this minimal alteration.

I respectfully disagree, and would also like to point out that the math doesn't point out that this minimal alteration will not significantly strengthen the edge, either! Most experiments tell us what doesn't work long before we find the one that does. The general rule in any sharpening is the more obtuse the angle, the stronger it is.

We are all on our own sharpening journey. I'm taking this path this week to see where it leads, not to build a better mousetrap, but to explore the possibilities of what this experiment may have on this and other sharpening applications. If it's a dead end, then it is a (subjectively) proven dead end, and I will have learned from experience.