Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades I need help with sharpening (breaking the wire)

I have used a Lansky since the mid-90's and currently I am using the diamond hones although I have tried the Arkansas stones and the original aluminum oxide kit. I use the 20 degree slot for all my knives and I understand this is 20 degrees +/-.

The part that has always caused me trouble is breaking the wire, I have tried many techniques and most break the wire but leave the blade less sharp than I prefer.

I am planning to epoxy a piece of belt leather to an old diamond stone but I am not sure what to use to polish and if stropping is the right technique to break the wire.

Also, what is the correct direction to strop?

I am open to other methods other than ditching the Lansky, it works and I am comfortable with the limitations.

A hundred views and no suggestions so I searched Google for ideas. First, I used my hard black Arkansas stone and pulled it away from the blade edge on both sides to break the wire. Prior to this, I simply worked in two directions.

Then I found an old stick of green rouge in the garage and used the back of a spiral notebook on the coffee table to strop the edge and that worked great. I don't have much hair on my left arm or right calf after finishing the Sodbuster and Sodbuster Jr.

Once you have created the burr, wire, try just making a light cut into a block of wood. One or two cuts should break the burr off.

Personally, I ditched the lansky years ago. Its a great sharpener, but I haven' the luxury of time these days. I convex on a belt sander, then finish on paper wheels. It takes less than half the time, and honestly I believe it is sharper.

with my EdgePro, when I reach the point where I have a burr the entire length of the edge, I turn the knife over, and make one, maybe two very light passes with the stone.
Works every time.
Following the last stone, I always run both sides gently down a Ceramic stick.

Paper wheels are the way to go. Super fast super sharp.

+1. On the edge pro,

lots of folks are saying that. I don't have a grinder, don't have any paper wheels, and don't have any skill set in that area.

I'll just stick with the EdgePro. Hell, I'm retired, so it's not like I don't have time to mess with knives.

I strop using an old leather belt, smooth side up, looped around the handle of my bench vise. I pull the knife back at an angle, alternating sides. A couple of passes. I don't know if this is the correct way. Drawing the cutting edge toward me cut the belt so that wasn't working.

Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

I highly recommend buying a stropman strop with compound. Super cheap and really nice stuff.

woodson,

Thanks, I'll look into that. Is the basic technique I described correct, more or less?

woodson,

Thanks, I'll look into that. Is the basic technique I described correct, more or less?

Not an expert but I have used a cardboard box many times to strop an edge. Works as well as stuff you buy for real money.