Edge is pretty good out of the box. I just maintain with a strop. I have about 20 knives that go through my regular EDC rotation so I've never used mine to the point of needing to be more than just touched up.
cokudaWhen you say edc maintenance strop do you mean you sharpen it first then use a strop or literally just use a leather strop and that's it? (My reason for asking is you obviously know how to care for your nice EDC blades and would love to hear what specifically you use for a strop and sharpener and more specifically what is your maintenance routine to keep them slicing notebook paper lol, I'm asking for personal knowledge as my EDC knives have been getting much nicer where ($200+) and I was looking for a way to keep them sharp without potentially ruining their edge by improper sharpening practices or using cheap sharpeners) Would you mind if I asked what specific strop /sharpening method and tool you use? Even if it's just a brief summary of what you do would be greatly appreciated
PhlookeI personally use a KME sharpener to maintain all my knives. I try not to reprofile the edges. I usually mark the edge with a sharpie and using one of the finest grit stones to try and determine what the factory edge is. This is the strop that I use BeaverCraft LS6P1 Leather Paddle Honing Strop Kit with Sharpening Polishing Compound 14" x 2" Knife Stropping Paddle Block for Honing Woodworking (Medium Strop) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TWMRC15/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SK5cFbHTNFHQY
cokudaYessss. Thank you! I didn't quite have the best wording on that comment but you got me haha. Exactly, I don't want to reprofile the edges on some nice grinds and scratch the blade all up. So if I'm hearing you correctly. You can keep your blades razor sharp with just that strop so you rarely need to use your KME fine grit stone unless it's a blade that's been heavily used and dull. But for up keep and to keep an already sharp blade sharp a few minutes on the strop does it? (And do you just go angle a blade like you're cutting something facing away from you and go down the strop, then flip it over and go towards yourself with blade angled towards yourself.....or pull it towards yourself flip it and pull it away from yourself) Thanks again 👊
PhlookeYou can use the sharpie technique to determine the angle needed You’re dragging the edge, if you push you’re gonna cut the strops surface. The green compound first then I follow up with a couple of passes of diamond lapping compound. To really refine the edge
https://youtu.be/_FeShET043E
I don't think that there is a "best answer" to this. IMNSHO, if I am going to maintain a knife, I need to be able to take it apart and reassemble it. Even if the manufacturer gets apoplectic and voids the warranty. I have several Case knives and others that are riveted together. I don't like that, but I do like the Cases that I own. For sharpening, I own a WSKO, a WS Guided Sharperer (I think that this is the name), some large DMT stones (coarse, fine, xf), an SSM, and small plastic Lansky guided sharpener with diamond stones. If the knife is sharp (reasonably) the the SSM is the quickest, and I think the best approach. (You are dealing with predetermined angles here- 15 and 20dps.) I do not think that I can hold a constant, repeatable angle by hand. Waterstones would probably be a good solution, but I have never been very attracted to them. (Messy. Required flattening from time to time.) I think that Australian guy uses a KME. (Senior moment.) I have no doubts that the WE is a great tool. The people that make it are incredibly proud of it. I have been looking at the Apex Edge Pro IV. I would have bot one by now, but I keep finging knives that I want more. Let me tell you the worst way to sharpen a knife. A pull thru system or an electric system. *
*The opinions expressed herein may not reflect those of the management and no compensation has been offered for them.
Keep it clean, dry and sharp. For clean, I remove residue with WD40 or similar, big dirt gets a wash in cold water. If it gets wet, use a can of air or similar to dry it completely inside and out before lubrication. Generally I use Tuf-Glide on knives, but any good oil will work.
how do I use my $20 credit?
I would love to order this and use my $20 but I see no way of doing so. I emailed CS 2 days ago and haven't gotten a response... Starting to see where the reviews on support have some validity...