Replies

1. 
   Andrew | Feb 17, 2003 08:26pm | #1

   There are ceramic stones which may be a finer grit, and there's also lapping compound which comes in grits down to .5 microns, although I'm not sure what size 8000 grit particles are, but I know you can get a razor sharp edge from it. FWW did a review of sharpening methods, and the best results were from a diamond lapping paste (expensive stuff though), although an edge honed on an 8000 stone would be fine for most woods. remember not to move up through the grits before all the scratch marks from the previous grit have been removed, as the edge quality will suffer.

1. 
   Quickstep | Feb 17, 2003 09:08pm | #2

   I was looking at DMT's diamond stones. Their finest "grit" is 1200. It sounds like 1200 isn't all that fine after all. WOuld you agree? 

1. 
   Ron | Feb 17, 2003 09:20pm | #3

   I have used the DMT for a couple of years, I have put away all of the other flat stones. They work just fine.

1. 
   Quickstep | Feb 17, 2003 09:38pm | #4

   Ron,

   Do you do antyhing after the 1200 grit DMT stone? Strop etc?

1. 
   Ron | Feb 19, 2003 02:32am | #11

   Chuck, sorry for the delay I've been shoveling,shoveling,and shoveling snow. yes I use a leather wheel. Some other advantages. there very light weight so they can travel with ease, they don't rust,chip, or crack. They don't have to be soaked in water. Easy to clean. no oil needed. I have a set in the kitchen as well. great on touching up a carbide edge. Ron

2. 
   Clay | Feb 18, 2003 06:59pm | #9

   You are right, 1200 is not all that fine.  In addition I find that the scratch pattern with diamond abrasives leaves a rougher edge than most other types for a given grit.  I like diamonds though as they are fast   I final hone/polish my edges on a buffing wheel with white diamond compound.  I do tend to be more finicky about my carving tools than bench chisels.  For especially fine edges (such as high grade carving knives) I use a ceramic polishing stone after honing but before buffing.

2. 
   Turbo | Feb 18, 2003 12:57am | #5

          FWW, #157 (August 2002), "Sharper and Sharper," pp 36 - 41, as referred to above.  I wish the Veritas electric sharpener with sandpaper disks had been compared too.  Auto body supply stores can supply you with sandpaper with higher grits than 8000 for special honing needs. 

1. 
   IanDG | Feb 18, 2003 02:06am | #6

   To put a final edge on the straight razor that I shave with occasionally I use a piece of plate glass and water as a lubricant.No abrasive paste, just use the glass as a sharpening stone -- I don't know what grit that represents!IanDG

1. 
   kdk | Feb 18, 2003 05:37am | #7

   Ian, you're braver than I!  I'll stick with the Schick II, thanks :)

   I read the article referenced above as well.  I'm kind of dyed-in-the-wool ceramic guy, and was a little disappointed that the ceramics were mentioned in the prelude but not evaluated further in the article.  I don't know what grit the white super-fine ceramics represent, but I can say that they leave a surface that will rival polished chrome on a surface they've polished or edge that they've sharpened.  I use the back of my fingernail as a gauge to the edge on whatever I'm sharpening.  The ultra-fine ceramic leaves an edge so smooth that I can't feel any roughness on the edge at all.  In my little mind, if the edge bites effortlessly into my fingernail and I can't detect any roughness/friction as I'm dragging it across the back of my nail, it's da,,,ahem, darn sharp.  As a matter of comparison, I work in the medical industry and have access to scalpels.  The only other edge I can say that I've seen pass the same test are surgical grade, sterile, scalpels.

   I'm certain that you can get finer polishing pastes, but is it necessary?  my guess is that you're edge is gone with the first pass on whatever wood you're cutting.  For another opinion on sharpening, swing by a carving site and see what the carvers use.  They're always touching up the edges on their knives/gouges...  I'm guessing that sharp edges are even more important to them than to those of us who only work with bench chisels.

   Hope this helps

   -Kurt

1. 
   IanDG | Feb 18, 2003 01:04pm | #8

   Kurt,For my carving chisels I use a piece of glove leather wrapped around a wood former for a strop.The straight razors were my grandfather's and are 100+ years old -- IanDG

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Feb 19, 2003 01:41am | #10

   Highland Hardware, Atlanta, http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/ has what you are talking about.  3M Imperial Microfinishing Films.  I use 15, 30, 40 & 60 micron sheets to sharpen/hone using a thick piece of glass as a base.

   Alan

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Feb 19, 2003 04:16am | #12

   Alan

      You bet they do. I buy them there also. The last time I was there, the store cat was up doing a little re-arranging in the area they keep them.  ha..ha..

   sarge..jt