09-04-2018, 11:24 AM
As usual, great stuff KG and much of it really matches up with our own findings and observations and we would only like to add this:
Oftentimes and after much burr removal effort, that LOW is still apparent under close observation. Even so, the edge often measures better than one would think it should and this perplexes us. It is our feeling that a lot of 200-225 edges could be 125-150 if the LOW had been properly removed. Your correlation KG of the LOW to mushy metal is right on as far as we are concerned. We've seen instances where this crap can be formed and shaped into sharper edges using only a plain leather hone many times. These have to be edges that wouldn't last through one cucumber though.
How tough can the LOW be to remove? We've seen some that can't be picked up even with a wire wheel on a bench grinder. We know that sounds incredible but that fact has been confirmed more than once and by more people than just us. The LOW can be just so tiny and low profile that even the steel bristles of a wire wheel can't grab it and stand it up. We're not certain how or if this applies to the polished edge world but if you're producing toothy edges with a belt grinder, its an issue.
We've been preaching proper burr removal as the key to sharp edges for some time now and if you happen to be sharpener who is having trouble achieving really sharp edges a thorough study of KG's burr removal suggestions might just be the answer. It's not just about producing sharp edges though, its about producing long lasting edges, be they 100 or 200, that are free of this crap metal hanging off the apex.
Oftentimes and after much burr removal effort, that LOW is still apparent under close observation. Even so, the edge often measures better than one would think it should and this perplexes us. It is our feeling that a lot of 200-225 edges could be 125-150 if the LOW had been properly removed. Your correlation KG of the LOW to mushy metal is right on as far as we are concerned. We've seen instances where this crap can be formed and shaped into sharper edges using only a plain leather hone many times. These have to be edges that wouldn't last through one cucumber though.
How tough can the LOW be to remove? We've seen some that can't be picked up even with a wire wheel on a bench grinder. We know that sounds incredible but that fact has been confirmed more than once and by more people than just us. The LOW can be just so tiny and low profile that even the steel bristles of a wire wheel can't grab it and stand it up. We're not certain how or if this applies to the polished edge world but if you're producing toothy edges with a belt grinder, its an issue.
We've been preaching proper burr removal as the key to sharp edges for some time now and if you happen to be sharpener who is having trouble achieving really sharp edges a thorough study of KG's burr removal suggestions might just be the answer. It's not just about producing sharp edges though, its about producing long lasting edges, be they 100 or 200, that are free of this crap metal hanging off the apex.