I usually don't go beyond 400 or 600 grit when I sharpen but I do use a leather strop and some stropping compound at times. I think edge geometry has a lot to do with edge retention and I suppose it is possible that by going for the mirror polished edge, at a microscopic level, you are also changing the edge geometry, thinning the very edge. So, it does make sense that the mirror polished edge might be the weaker of the two...but it also seems that initially, the mirror polished edge would be sharper (due to its thinner edge).
I agree. Coarse edges can also be shockingly sharp when done right. I had posted pictures of my Regulator before:
[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/59741147@N02/5627840654/in/photostream/lightbox/[/img]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59741147@N02/5627840654/in/photostream/lightbox/ [img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/59741147@N02/5627840286/in/photostream/lightbox/[/img]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59741147@N02/5627840286/in/photostream/lightbox/This is a 120 grit edge, polished up with a slotted wheel. You may be able to see some microserrations in the second picture.
I had some friends come over yesterday. They glanced at the knife and were intrigued by the shimmering grind pattern on the edge. I showed them how sharp it was with clean push cuts on an old thin paper receipt that was lying around. Jaws dropped in awe.
They didn't know that I had cut up several cardboard boxes and an old carpet earlier in the day with that blade. I want to see how long the edge lasts before requiring a touch up.
