Thread: How sharp can you get without a set bevel?

I've used 2000 grit sandpaper / 5 micron film / CrOxide pasted strop successfully. [I'm in Canada, close to a Lee Valley store.]

I check for a "set bevel" with a 10x loupe. If the bevel is set, and you check with a flourescent lamp with horizontal straight tube, the bevel goes from "bright" to "dark" quite suddenly as you rotate the blade. If you can see a bright line at the very edge of the bevel, and the rest of the bevel is dark, the bevel is _not_ set. If you take it into sunlight, and hold it so that the sun would reflect off a section of dull edge, and you see a bright spot -- the bevel is _not_ set.

It is possible to shave off the 5 micron paper (which is _roughly_ 3000 grit), but not comfortable. If the film "bunches up" ahead of the edge, you'll ruin your work -- sticky film should cure that problem.

After 10-20 laps on a CrOxide pasted strop, the edge rounds _just a little bit_, smooths out a lot (it looks mirror-smooth under 10x), and the shave is pretty good.

My edges have improved since I got a Norton 4K / 8K stone (as everyone here recommended).

Charles