Still, there is a difference, so I did a bit more. The biggest difference in mine looked to be between the 100/200 and 800/1000, so I used those. Using the digital angle gauge, I measured a difference of .6 deg. I then marked the edge of a knife with a Sharpie and went back and forth between the stones, remarking and checking for marker removal. There didn’t seem to be an issue with the stones removing the marker. I’ve mentioned this before, while precision and accuracy are important (consistency even more), there should be enough “give” in the system to allow for slight changes, and allow the stone to “find” the edge, and this appeared to occur. This may be a test you want to try and see if you find what I did.
I found the same thing Curtis. Because of the minor variations in the stock stones, and having a selection of waterstones of significantly different thicknesses, I check my angles with the cube every time that I change stones, when I am being particular …i.e looking for perfection. In other words, if I am sharpening at 17 degrees, I will check and adjust so that the cube says 17 degrees at each level. Of course we know that the cube is only accurate to +/- 0.2 degrees, but it makes me happy to see 17.00 on the display! In other words, no one promised exact uniformity of the thickness of the stones… and I don’t expect it.
:woohoo:
👿
Having said that, when doing routine sharpening or just touch up I think the variations between the stock diamonds, the ceramics, or the strops as groups can safely be ignored. The WEPS sourced Choseras are really close enough too, even after lapping to remove some material at somewhat different amounts per individual stone.
I suspect there are other reasons for you taking a while to obtain a mirror edge, one perhaps being your stones are new and need a bit of break in?
The biggest reason for not getting a highly reflective bevel is not enough work with a grit that is fine enough to polish to the level you want! Using my definition of a mirror finish, it simply cannot be obtained with anything more coarse then the 10K Chosera stones and sub-micron diamond abrasives on strops. Anything less is just “kind of, sort of, shiny”. But ultimately, the level of reflectivity is simply based upon polishing with ever finer abrasives. You get back what you put in, no more no less!
Of course this is all based on personal opinion and my direct experience, take it for what it is worth…
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