Re: Me and my story! Let’s get to know each other!

[Allgonquin]

Hi All,

My name is Chris, I just turned 56 and after ordering the Pro pack on August 8, I received my WEPS on Friday after Thanksgiving – worked out to be a great birthday present for me! I’m a mechanical engineer and amateur knife maker. I took a blade making course from a Master Smith named Rob Hudson almost 10 years ago and I’ve dabbled since then. My avatar photo is a knife I made from a 1” ball bearing with 5211 steel. Finally bought my own forge a year ago, which I’ve not used yet as I’m rebuilding the blower. Recreational shooter as well, I love my Gold Cup .45 as well as sporting clays. EDC’s include a Benchmade McHenry & Williams, a CRKT Lake Design, and for dressy occasions an old Gerber Silver Knight, of which I’ve managed to accumulate several from strategic eBay buys.

Always had knives, always had mixed success with sharpening. Had been looking for something “systematic” with more precision, and my 17 yo son turned me on to the WEPS. He’s got the knife bug as well. After one quick look at the video, I ordered it. Yesterday evening I had my Zen moment with the WEPS. Took a 6” Henkels kitchen slicer which I’ve never been able to sharpen well. Had it for probably 10 years. Put some mellow tunes on in my basement shop. Nuked the factory bevel and edge with 100 grit and went with 19 degrees. Did at least 200 strokes in 50-stroke segments, and very carefully observed the edge using a sharpie. The knife is fairly flexible, so I took extra care on the tip, which had a tendency to bend away from the stone(s) even though I had it in the support. After 200 strokes, I went for the wire edge and very carefully made sure I had it full length before going to finer grit.

Lather, rinse, repeat, with 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 grits, and then on to the 5 and 3.5 micron strops. Probably did closer to 300 strokes with the strops. Carefully wiped the edge between segments and between grits and re-sharpied. No rush, took my time with everything. I knew I was on to something, as they say, as by about 800 grit, the paper towel I was using to wipe the edge would tend to get sliced, not like cutting paper, but like skinning an apple, if you understand.

So finally after the 3.5, I unclamped the blade and did the thumb test, across my fingerprint. (I’d resisted doing this during the other grits.) Wow….just simply wow. Then I tried shaving my arm. Effortless, like a straight razor. Incredible. Went upstairs and found a very soft tomato. Paper thin slices.

That’s it, I’m good with this, I’m very good with having made this investment. One small thing has latched into place in the world’s gears. I slept well last night!