Thread: Blade smoothness

So I have no money. Poor as a church mouse. As such this is the great motivator, to create something from nothing.

I am sure I am not the first to put this out here but let me proceed.

I have a 1k Global Wet Ceramic Hone, a 4 or 5k Arkansas from Col. Conk, a 32k Chrom Ox Linen Strop, and a strop.

I do my sharpening in the Eastern fashion finish with some Western swipes. My edge was a little gritty on a an HHT so I put a piece of 2500 grit Silicon Carbide paper on a straight piece of wood and repeated my strokes.

HHT with some course deer hair from my fly tying kit. It was popping hairs like crazy. Still heard the edge was rough, back to the linen and then to the leather. HHT smoother but still just a little bit gritty.

My question: Is it time for a Coticule or BBW or should I go to 5000 grit Silicon Carbide paper?

Have you thought about a Chinese 12k stone? It might be slow if your next lower grit is the arkansas but it would surely be a much better edge for you

the smaller one is only $20 at woodcraft.com

HHT? hmm... but how does it shave?

Shaved great. Smoother than the other shaves I have had with it.

Let the weight of the blade do its magic. I got burned a few time but that is technique.

A 12k will smooth the edge out better. Should I still use the sandpaper after the 12k or go str8 to the linen and leather?

$20 at woodcraft. I may have to go there this weekend.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

Shaved great. Smoother than the other shaves I have had with it.

Let the weight of the blade do its magic. I got burned a few time but that is technique.

A 12k will smooth the edge out better. Should I still use the sandpaper after the 12k or go str8 to the linen and leather?

$20 at woodcraft. I may have to go there this weekend.

Man, if I read that correctly: you want to use 5000 grit sandpaper after a 12,000 grit hone? Between this and your first post, it seems like you are dropping back down to a low grit to finish?

If I am reading that right, stop and think about your progression. It doesn't make sense.

If I am misreading, nevermind.

Originally Posted by joke1176

Man, if I read that correctly: you want to use 5000 grit sandpaper after a 12,000 grit hone? Between this and your first post, it seems like you are dropping back down to a low grit to finish?

If I am reading that right, stop and think about your progression. It doesn't make sense.

If I am misreading, nevermind.

Same here!

The question was should I get a 12k, I did not know they were that cheap, or use sandpaper.

The least expensive option is the 5K sandpaper.

The best option is a coticule with a bbw backing

The Ch12K would follow the coticule in a progression.

I purchased my 12k. Nice stone. Lapped it and worked it. Did a nice job thanks guys.

Black hard and white translucent Arkansas stones are fairly inexpensive on eBay these days. They will get you there but it takes awhile. I used them for a long time until I started using the belgians and now my Arkansas stones sit lonely and unused in the collection. I used my Arkansas hones dry in the Juranitch fashion.