09-05-2018, 09:59 AM
In our experience, the clear champion of wire edge producing sharpening techniques is the pull thru ceramic sharpener. The sort with small, overlapping ceramic wheels. If done just right, not too many pulls and not to few, edges that measure 110-130 can be produced. A couple of whacks on a wooden dowel later, the same edge measures 700-800.
It is interesting that some wire edges can be measured accurately and some not. KG attributes this to good versus poor steel. There could be other factors as well such as the height of the wire edge and other form factors. We just don't know. We do know this; widely varying edge readings along the blade are almost always a clear indication that burr still remains on the edge, at least in some areas. As Grepper points out this stuff is often difficult to detect. If you learn how to detect it and how to remove it properly you will be well on the way to producing the near perfect cutting edge.
It is worth noting that KG and Grepper grind edges in very different ways. Their burr removal techniques are different in the tools and materials used but their underlying concepts are the same. They both produce sub 100 edges at will. Grepper's well known 150 edges are a page from the past and the only change in process are newly revised burr removal techniques and materials. One thing that is shared by both is their commitment to not only producing sharp edges but their commitment to understanding those things that make edges... not sharp. Simply repeating a process that seems to work is not enough, understanding "why" it works is. This understanding is accomplished through study, experimentation and measurement. These two guys are well worth giving a listen.
It is interesting that some wire edges can be measured accurately and some not. KG attributes this to good versus poor steel. There could be other factors as well such as the height of the wire edge and other form factors. We just don't know. We do know this; widely varying edge readings along the blade are almost always a clear indication that burr still remains on the edge, at least in some areas. As Grepper points out this stuff is often difficult to detect. If you learn how to detect it and how to remove it properly you will be well on the way to producing the near perfect cutting edge.
It is worth noting that KG and Grepper grind edges in very different ways. Their burr removal techniques are different in the tools and materials used but their underlying concepts are the same. They both produce sub 100 edges at will. Grepper's well known 150 edges are a page from the past and the only change in process are newly revised burr removal techniques and materials. One thing that is shared by both is their commitment to not only producing sharp edges but their commitment to understanding those things that make edges... not sharp. Simply repeating a process that seems to work is not enough, understanding "why" it works is. This understanding is accomplished through study, experimentation and measurement. These two guys are well worth giving a listen.