Hello,

I am asking for some free advise. I have my DM with a realy shiny convexed edge using various grades of sand paper and a mouse pad. The finest grade I have used is 2000 grit. It will shave hair no problem but it won't push cut through paper. Is this normal? I don't have a micro burr that I can feel or see. I know that a micro burr will make a knife super sharp but it won't last. It is not sharp enough to shave my face. I tried. Even used shaving cream and all. The face shaving was just for kicks. I use this knife for out doors type stuff, such as: cleaning fish, camp fire building, ect, ect. Is a polished edge like that what I realy need? I am almost crazy about having a realy sharp knife. If it's not, the old man gives me hell when we go fishing. Sometimes I think I could bring a strait razor and he'ld say, "Where did you get that CPOS? Well you could at least sharpen the [censored] thing!" I tell him its plenty sharp, he just can't feel it because of his diabetes and loosing feeling in his hands....

Thanks,

JT

It sounds like maybe you rounded and actually dulled the edge while polishing it. It is easy to do on a stropping pad. Even an unpolished edge can shave hair and a polished edge can be dull. Try going back to a courser grit for a few strokes using very light pressure. Then finish again with the 2000 grit but be careful not to round the edge. I know, because I have had this problem myself on occasion. Keep the pressure light and make sure not to flex the sharpening medium around your sharp edge. Good luck.

This is very helpfull. I have been applying a good bit of downward force so your account is probably correct. For an outdooring use, do you think the high polish is best, or should it be a bit more "toothy"?

People who skin a lot of animals like them "toothy". I like them polished.

i have a mixture of blades.... sharpend differntly .... my m16 is very polished and slices like a dream all day long.... but it wears down and needs a some attention at the end of a week... but i also have a rat folder ... and i keep it stoned and toothy where it will generaly bite into something... i keep the my fillet knife polished and it just skims .. while my old hickory likes a good "toothy" edge .......

im still working this all out by trial and error.... i got a new strop and retired my old leather one to the bathroom for my stright razor that never sees any action (what i like a scruffy beard that doesnt itch).... and a few larger stones ... i need to get a belt sander or set up my paper wheels.....

i have a few knives while will slice with force , it will shave ... but i over polished em and they will just slide over about any thing with out biting down... still cut but the force with a decent amount of force....

but honestly a nice polished yard blade looks so sexy

I used a polished edge for food prep stuff anything more difficult than that then more of a courser stone

Thanks for the advise. I did just what you said and in just a few minutes, it would push cut through paper. Not bad for a 1/4 inch thick blade. I used a piece of leather rather than an old mouse pad. I think that helped out some too. You guys are awsome! Thanks again. This place is such a great resource and a great place for like minded people to interact. Long live the yard!

has any one tried the coffee cup method of sharpening?

Ive done it on a couple work blades, just cuz they look sexy to me

My dad used to use the bottom of a coffee cup sometimes. I have never tried it but I am sure it would work in a pinch. I have also seen the old man use a slightly open set of scissors to sharpen his knife.

JT

Just make sure it's an unglazed portion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> You can also roll down your window in your car and used the top edge of the tempered glass to sharpen/strop your edge.

Good ideas guys for a quick edge