AlieN
@neilattard
active 6 years, 5 months agoForum Replies Created
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Hi carguy4471,
I was in the same position and I went for the WE100 system. Although it is very capable, I do now crave a few of the things that the WE120 would have given, specifically the better arm adjustments. Since buying the WE100 I have spent a bit on additions and upgrades and while I haven’t added it all up, I’m pretty sure that I’ve not been as economical as I could have been by springing for a better starting system up-front.
On the stones front, I rarely hear people rave about the ceramic stones. However, as well as the 800/1000 stones, I also went for the 1500 / glass platten along with 6 micron lapping film. This combination (in particular the 1500 stone) seems to attract universally positive reviews and I can confirm results from that combination far exceeded my expectations.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy the kit and the process, whichever direction you take.
AlieN
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Hi Frank,
I’m a newbie myself, so probably in the same position as you regarding experience (though no cuts requiring ER yet…).
I received some good advice on here recently regarding uneven bevels and in my case, I think it is because the knife isn’t perfectly vertical in the old-style two-screw clamp. I also find that the second burr occurs quickly, but for me, because the knife was canted slightly to the left, I was sharpening at a larger angle on the left (always the second side for me) and this also brought up a burr more quickly. The net effect of the cant is slightly different angles (and therefore depth of bevel) left and right.
If that is also the case for you, then simply spending more time on the second side will only go so far to evening out the bevels.
For reference, the thread that discusses this can be found here.
AlieN
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Thanks for the reply Marc. I’ll investigate the cant and see what difference that makes to the evenness of my bevels.
AlieN
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Redheads, while I can’t help with the pickup, it may just be that any old microphone would do. For software, I’m also a PC guy more than Mac and I’ve used the free software Audacity for audio projects in the past with some success.
It does take a little getting used to, but I’m sure it would offer more than you would ever need in terms of recording and analysing the sound.
AlieN
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Mark76 and MarcH, thank you both for your answers.
The durability of the edge is something it is too easy (for me at least) to forget when considering sharpening a knife.
Currently, I feel that I want a little more sharpness that I am currently getting from the 1000 grit diamond stone. I do realise that I am being impatient and will let the stones break in some more and work on my technique before throwing money at the issue. That said, I could see my getting the 1500 stone and 6 micron film in the not too distant future.
AlieN
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Sorry to barge in on this thread, but silly newbie question.
My current setup goes as fine as the 800/1000 diamond stones. After around 8 knives now, I am starting to break in the stones and to get the hang of it. This evening’s attempt was my best so far (200mm Henkel chef’s knife). It could certainly cut paper easily (though by drawing the knife, not just pushing it) and it will shave my arm hair pretty effectively.
So, could somebody please help me to understand how much of an improvement the 1500 diamond + 6 micron film would be over the 1000 grit diamond I have now. To be fair, the 800 / 1000 stone was on back order so that stone has done fewer knives than my others, so I suspect that there is more break-in to be had on the 800 / 1000 stone.
AlieN
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Thanks for the advice sksharp and Mark76 – all good information which has got me thinking more about what I want from the edge of a specific knife.
Between you, you’ve used the terms “back the angle off” and “increase the angle” to describe the stropping angle. If I’ve used stones at 20° then should I try stropping at say 18°? Have I got that the right way round?
AlieN
Hi Organic,
Thanks for the welcome and for passing on your experience and advice.
I am a bit of an obsessive researcher, so I was expecting there to be a learning curve and for the stones to need to break in, but even so I was a bit disheartened by the results on the first knife (just a cheap folder). Things have improved in the two knives since so I am happy that I am making progress.
And some good news when I got home this evening – the 800/1000 stones have now shipped, so I should receive them by the end of the week. Let’s see how much more progress I can make over the weekend.
AlieN
AlieN
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