“airscapes” advice is also just as valid an explanation for your paper slicing issue. With more effort for edge refinement done with each and every stone in your sharpening progression, the end results should be sharper, smoother and shinier. Also, by employing alternating side strokes, left-right-left-right, in the edge leading direction, down and onto the edge, you will remove any remnants of a burr or wire edge created with the grit you’re finishing up using. This step repeated at the end of each grit used will leave an exposed sharpened edge with no burrs to cause edge snags. I do still finish each sharpening job with strops. It will make a snag free edge slip through paper markedly smoother. The broken in stones right now is key. It’s best to work with beater knives that need a lot of work that will require more stone work to help break in your sharpening stones, quickly. Then there’s no worry about ruining anything while learning. The learning/break-in period is the time to try the various sharpening strokes and to learn by mistakes. That’s why it’s best to learn on crappy beater knives that you don’t care about. Save you good knives for later. This is a good video worth watching. It explains the various sharpening strokes. (It does discuss whetstones some also.)
I appreciate your help! I’ll be sure to watch your linked video by Jende. Have a great weekend!
