Thread: sharpening vs polishing?

what is the difference between "sharpening" the edge versus "polishing" it? what is happening to the metal when one uses an 8 k norton vs a 12 k "finisher" or a jnat or coticule?

thanks

Im guessing you know what sharpening is. Polishing is the act of removing all the striations from the previous grit. Polishing will also sharpen, but the effect is really slow. These are both just terms used in this hobbie to describe concepts, they are not completely literal.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Im guessing you know what sharpening is. Polishing is the act of removing all the striations from the previous grit. Polishing will also sharpen, but the effect is really slow. These are both just terms used in this hobbie to describe concepts, they are not completely literal.

Yeah I agree, when it comes to what is happening to the steel, both actions remove metal. The difference as I understand it is the rate and how deep the scratches go plus polishing usually leaves a mirror finish, though not all the time.

polishing is the act of removing the scratches left by the previous grit.
You sharpen on your 1k stone, also know as setting the bevel, from there on you polish the bevel.

The big difference is how deep the scratch pattern is & how much metal you're removing. When bevel setting, you're establishing an edge; subsequent stones are cleaning said edge up & refining it. You're still removing metal, but nowhere near as much as in the early (1-4k) stages.

When you go higher, you're removing the scratches of a previous stone & replacing them w/ the (shallower & tighter) scratches of a finer stone. You're also (very slightly) continuing to thin the bevel out although 95+% of this occurs @ the 4k level & below. It's that last <5% or so that makes the real difference in smoothness/sharpness.

Originally Posted by mainaman

polishing is the act of removing the scratches left by the previous grit.
You sharpen on your 1k stone, also know as setting the bevel, from there on you polish the bevel.

thanks I got it.

I think part of the problem is in the general sense sharpening refers to, well,... making the edge keener while polishing refers to a cosmetic condition of making it shiny. Of course for us it's a bit different and we use the terms to be similar just the degree of what is happening is different. So though we may polish an edge it may never really get shiny but the keenness increases and under a scope you will see the differences.

If bevel setting is the foundation of the edge, then final finishing is the apex, zenith or pinnacle of the edge.
MIke

Originally Posted by RogueRazor

what is the difference between "sharpening" the edge versus "polishing" it?

For the win,!!! "Semantics" now where is my prize ?????

Originally Posted by gssixgun

For the win,!!! "Semantics" now where is my prize ?????

hey I'm a newbie man )