Chazz

Lenny, I don’t think the lapping film will physically stand up to the scrubbing, back and forth strokes used when lapping.  I think the hard ceramic will shred the plastic backing of the film.  I would try rubbing the like grit ceramic stones together.

The only type of lapping that is sometimes utilized and may help, is rubbing together the like grit ceramic stones to remove some of the dust residue left over from the manufacturing process.  This may help them to break-in sooner.

Those users who have actually lapped these ceramic stones reported that the lapped ceramics take on the…[Read more]

The Field and Sport Pro and the WE130,  are the same vise setups and identical mechanically in every way, with the “Generation 3 Clamping System”.  The F&S Pro has the wide elevated square mounting platform where you “C” clamp secure it to a flat surface.  The WE130 has a wider mounting platform designed to be secured to a flat base of your ch…[Read more]

Welcome to the Forum Duke…”add to cart” is when the item as shown is ready to be purchased, as it is; no additional options to decide from.  “Shop Now” requires an additional choice to be made such as which base you want to order it with, or with or without a case, a second defining characteristic before you can add it to the cart.  Everything y…[Read more]

I just visually compared a pair of almost new, recently broken-in, 100/200 grit stone pairs against a very old well used pair of 100/200 grit stones.  There is very little difference visually in their appearance.  If the diamond stones were not mounted in a color distinguishing handles,  I could not discern between the 100 grit and the 200 grit bo…[Read more]

“Eviltwins” method of positioning in clamp?? Share with us a link please!

I’m thinking something from a paint brush or shaving brush as long and straight as it is.  Isn’t that only HHT 2 by Toms shared definitions?

I use all scopes strictly hand-held.  The Carson and the Plugable  both I have tightly/sharp focused on the flat side of a knife bevel at high power.  I then applied a strip of blue painter’s tape over the focus knob to hold it’s position.  (Without the tape they can get bumped out of focus while handling them).  Then I finely adjust the focu…[Read more]

Read this Forum Post, Wifi Review

  When shopping for USB microscopes/cameras:

Mac compatible is software for Mac laptops and Mac computers.

iOS compatible is the software for Apple phones and Apple tablets

Don’t go by the polished appearance.  Try the edge for sharpness after 1.5º to 2º reduced angle stropping.  It is sharpness we’re seeking first.  Get your technique down and accomplish sharp edges.  You may not produce a polished edge working only up to 1000 grit and with 5µ and 3.5µ strops, especially this early in your sharpening experie…[Read more]

I own and have used this model.  I use it with a Windows OS.  It states it’s compatible with Mac  It does everything I need my scope to do, including take pictures.

Again that’s a personal thing.  My preferred unit is this inexpensive model .  

It does everything I need it to do.  It takes some practice to figure out how to use the scope to your advantage.  I use it hand held with a laptop on a resolution setting of 600 X 800, on high power.  There are lots of models with better features.  I use it strict…[Read more]

A lighted magnified helper like a loupe or USB microscope helps you see the results of your efforts to determine the results you’re working towards.

Clay recommends you spritz the leather strops with rubbing alcohol when using them.  Give this a try.  Maybe it’ll give you results more in line with your expectations.  They’re is really nothing you can do that is wrong.  Each of us have personalized our techniques and use a method that we like the results.  It may differ from what I do.  It’s…[Read more]

I prefer to allow the applied stropping compound to dry into the leather overnight before I use the strops at 1 1/2 to 2 degree lower, more acute, angle then the sharpened angle.  Some compound will be left on the steel.

A while back I was purchasing inexpensive folding knives from Amazon just to gain sharpening experience on that style knives, since most of my experience up to then was with kitchen/chef’s knives or fish filet knives.

I found lots of knives under $20 dollars.  Here’s a couple I found.

Buck Knife

Sanrenmu

There’s lots more.

Hopefully this will help:      https://support.wickededgeusa.com/portal/kb/articles/grit-comparison-table

You may need to download the above charts to read them.  The 0.6µ and the 1.4µ micro-fine stones are described in particle size.  Those you may need to place in the chart yourself extrapolating the size.

I  really believe when you’re stones are broken in and you gain some more experience and develop and employ good technique you’ll see that you’ll have an easier time polishing a 1000 grit with the strops to a very polished edge.  Realize it may take some effort with the strops.  More than just a few swipes to either side.  It also may take a fou…[Read more]