08-23-2017, 01:59 PM
Sorry for the delay in my response guys. Thanks to everyone who has taken an interest and thank you for your contributions!
I'm still in work mode. Seems like I never remember how long it takes to get past the rally. There are so many things that pop up during the rally that need attention afterwards.
Thanks a bunch to Mr. Rupert, who has been giving perfect information. Totally spot on to everything I'd say, which may be somewhat expected. We do use the same rods and rod holders. More on that later.
To answer some questions; I found a box of 120 grit Blaze belts, so that's practically all I used. They work very well for sharpening. Even when they feel smooth, they keep on sharpening with a decent scratch pattern, so I used about one per day. I only used One 60 grit CubitronII for the whole 10 days, and it's still in great shape. The crew mostly used the good AlO belts from Klingspoor in 220 grit, at about 3-4 belts/day, and they used the Blaze for their heavy work.
There is no doubt I'll have plenty of feedback next year. I sharpen many blades once/year, and that's all those blades get. I'm really looking forward to next year, because I expect folks will be able to determine which works better.
I don't think there's much difference in either ceramic or diamond rods for deburring. They're both super effective. Ceramic rods seem to deburr at least as well as diamond rods, but they need to be kept Totally clean. Ceramic rods give you a more refined edge, always shaving sharp. Diamond rods leave a lot of tooth, and virtually never need to be cleaned, but I still turn them all the time like ceramic rods. It's a good practice.
The edges that got deburred in just a couple passes per side on the diamond rods are very grabby, so most guys tried to shave arm hairs. They were surprised when they couldn't shave much. I just told them that it wasn't a shaving edge, it's better at slicing, and it should last longer. We'll see what they say next year.
I noticed the big ol' honkin' burr falling off like tinsel on ceramic rods a very long time ago. I don't know why ceramic and diamond rods aren't more popular. Maybe because it seems too cheap and easy to work well? I don't know. Interestingly, you do get a ceramic rod with every Edge-Pro...
Many years ago, I made some ceramic and diamond rod holders that have accurate 1* increments from 10-30 degrees, . I made them so a guy could touch up at the exact angle he got off the Kally, Edge-Pro or WEPS. They weren't a big success for people who sharpen a bunch, but my friends and family use them, and I never sharpen their knives anymore.
The Sharpmaker is as good as any other set of rods, but not really better IMHO. An advantage of rods is that you can sharpen, turn the rods a hair, and sharpen on a new, clean piece of rod. The whole problem with ceramic is that it starts clogging immediately, after which you are basically rubbing metal against metal. They do clean up quickly and effortlessly with liquid Bar Keeper's Friend. Just apply and wait 10 minutes or so before rinsing. Scrubbing doesn't seem to work any faster. If they aren't clean, just repeat.
Thanks again, Gentlemen.
I'm still in work mode. Seems like I never remember how long it takes to get past the rally. There are so many things that pop up during the rally that need attention afterwards.
Thanks a bunch to Mr. Rupert, who has been giving perfect information. Totally spot on to everything I'd say, which may be somewhat expected. We do use the same rods and rod holders. More on that later.
To answer some questions; I found a box of 120 grit Blaze belts, so that's practically all I used. They work very well for sharpening. Even when they feel smooth, they keep on sharpening with a decent scratch pattern, so I used about one per day. I only used One 60 grit CubitronII for the whole 10 days, and it's still in great shape. The crew mostly used the good AlO belts from Klingspoor in 220 grit, at about 3-4 belts/day, and they used the Blaze for their heavy work.
There is no doubt I'll have plenty of feedback next year. I sharpen many blades once/year, and that's all those blades get. I'm really looking forward to next year, because I expect folks will be able to determine which works better.
I don't think there's much difference in either ceramic or diamond rods for deburring. They're both super effective. Ceramic rods seem to deburr at least as well as diamond rods, but they need to be kept Totally clean. Ceramic rods give you a more refined edge, always shaving sharp. Diamond rods leave a lot of tooth, and virtually never need to be cleaned, but I still turn them all the time like ceramic rods. It's a good practice.
The edges that got deburred in just a couple passes per side on the diamond rods are very grabby, so most guys tried to shave arm hairs. They were surprised when they couldn't shave much. I just told them that it wasn't a shaving edge, it's better at slicing, and it should last longer. We'll see what they say next year.
I noticed the big ol' honkin' burr falling off like tinsel on ceramic rods a very long time ago. I don't know why ceramic and diamond rods aren't more popular. Maybe because it seems too cheap and easy to work well? I don't know. Interestingly, you do get a ceramic rod with every Edge-Pro...
Many years ago, I made some ceramic and diamond rod holders that have accurate 1* increments from 10-30 degrees, . I made them so a guy could touch up at the exact angle he got off the Kally, Edge-Pro or WEPS. They weren't a big success for people who sharpen a bunch, but my friends and family use them, and I never sharpen their knives anymore.
The Sharpmaker is as good as any other set of rods, but not really better IMHO. An advantage of rods is that you can sharpen, turn the rods a hair, and sharpen on a new, clean piece of rod. The whole problem with ceramic is that it starts clogging immediately, after which you are basically rubbing metal against metal. They do clean up quickly and effortlessly with liquid Bar Keeper's Friend. Just apply and wait 10 minutes or so before rinsing. Scrubbing doesn't seem to work any faster. If they aren't clean, just repeat.
Thanks again, Gentlemen.