Therapy

Anonymous wrote:

Last night, I decided to do a little sharpening, and found that it was very relaxing and therapeutic. Nothing of interest on the TV for a few hours. Being new to the WEPS, I found that my technique is improving as I go along. I found some tricks to improve my efforts, too. I was afraid of a little water at first, but find it to be a lubricious necessity at times. I played around with some # 1500 grit and # 2000 grit automotive wet-n-dry. I just cut a few piece to size and affixed them with somne tape to the ceramics. I massaged a little # 50,000 grit diamond paste to a set of leather strops, and when the strops lost their slipperiness, I simply gave them a shot of water spray. There is a learning curve for touch, ( pressure ) knowing when the diamonf pastes need some H20. Just some insite from a very new bee ( newbie ) Bill aka ET

Usually, most find the strops perform better after they lose their “slipperiness”, but as the saying goes… “different strokes for different folks!” (pun intended). Water can be bad for leather (light mist might be survivable). You might consider a light spray of alcohol instead, but it will be the opposite of slippery. 🙂

Of course on diamonds and sandpaper, water can be a plus.

You are right… it can be relaxing!

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wickededge

Yeah, for me sharpening can also be a sort of meditation. That’s what Leo taught me a long time ago and it really works. Unless you’re under pressure and want a specific goal. I once sharpened knives for a restaurant but quit that, ’cause it became too much of a pressure.

And you don’t have to be too afraid of a little water on your stones. I once put mine in a dishwasher (not that I’d recommend you that), but it had no negative effects.

Mark, I remember reading some of those threads….wasn’t the term “sticktion”?  Bad spelling probably but wasn’t the concept the sticky paddles burnish and blend scratches while refining the edge?  Can’t remember truthfully.