Obsession with sharpness

[Muina]

Yea, the video I watched that taught me to strop on a piece of paper stated that the newspaper is actually an extremely fine abrasive, think of the thousands of tiny wood fibres that make the paper abrading a minuscule amount from the blade.

I've never fully understood the purpose of stropping though, I thought it was to remove the burr but I've been told so many different things by so many different people that I don't know what to believe anymore lol

Anthony

 

[Anonymous]

but if you cut paper with your newly sharpened blade you will take the edge off straight away.

Stropping on the palm of your hand is easiest and quickest way.

 

[Muina]

Yea, you will take the edge off but I think it'll still be uber sharp. It's like cutting wood with a newly sharpened blade, the shaving sharp edge'll come off after a couple of strokes but it'll stay more than sharp enough for quite a while if your steel's good enough.

Plus as long as it doesn't take too long it's always best to aim for the sharpest you can, at the end of the day a sharp blade is a safe blade so it's better to be overly sharp than blunt.

Anthony

 

[greggy]

Solvol Autosol for me. I use it on the leather wheels on the Tormek, and on a leather strop.

same here, and done it for years.