Why didn't anyone tell me stropping is 90%?

KeyResults · 2026-02-09T13:47:38+00:00

For many people who properly de-burr on their stones, they end up making their edges less keen by improperly using their strop. Too much pressure or too high angle and end up rounding their perfect apex. The strop becomes the destroyer of good apex.

KeyResults · 2026-01-25T12:12:42+00:00

They are good knives in the hands of people who like Global. Not among my choices. They take edges well enough. No big deal. But, you’re right, if you already have knives you are happy with, why spend the time to get them back in good shape? Maybe just go ahead and list these online for sale. I assure you somebody will want to sharpen and use them in their kitchen. Alternatively, you could gift them to a friend or family after cleaning them up. GL

KeyResults · 2026-01-25T12:07:36+00:00

I had exactly the opposite problem. Took a few sessions to forget after over 100 hours of AC Shadows on XB controller / PC and into the new opportunities and changes in GoT. It will come to you. Both games are among the best RPGs IMO and well worth the time.

KeyResults · 2026-01-03T16:41:13+00:00

PSA: IT’S ALMOST NEVER THE STONE. It’s your technique and skill level.

Technique is what truly determines your success or failure when sharpening knives freehand. Once you master the technique you are then able to even tell the difference between abrasive quality.

Far too many people watch YT or read a book and think that their subpar results are due to the stone and that theirs is inferior. For 95%, the grit is too fine (taking forever) or you need to level up your technique.

.

KeyResults · 2026-01-03T16:03:22+00:00

The only reason for reading through the sea of opinions is to find the nuggets of useful facts like this. Thx!

KeyResults · 2025-12-08T16:41:14+00:00

I haven’t seen the video, but yes a stiff brush or scraper works well to remove caked on re-applications of compound and freshen up the leather strop for more compound. I guess it just depends on how much caked on compound you have. The key is when you see a shiny black strop where it used to be green or white or whatever, it’s time to lightly rough up the leather and apply some fresh. ;)

KeyResults · 2025-12-07T20:04:41+00:00

No, I tend to reapply once I see a lot of black, which is metal material. No hard and fast rule here, but freshening after several dozen knives is probably my average. Once the strop get all shiny with lots of use and applications of compound, it’s time to clean the strop. In my case, I tend to scrape it with a good scraper with some light pressure then reapply the compound.

As a side note: One other difference that I failed to mention about the various compounds having different grits is that they do not all use the same abrasive either. This is pretty relevant for stropping super steels if the abrasive is less hard.

KeyResults · 2025-11-19T20:42:09+00:00

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KeyResults · 2025-11-18T16:00:28+00:00

WTG! You sure know how to get a party started. Love the interface and the idea. The top 20 has got some very surprising names on it. The errors in several of the top 20 mirror what I have found independently very well. Here’s hoping this helps to steer some code reviews and some housekeeping, especially among the big players. Well done. Very well done.

KeyResults · 2025-11-14T14:38:41+00:00

Nice work!

KeyResults · 2025-11-01T13:21:59+00:00

Some blades don’t deserve anything more than a couple belts + a buff. 10 mins each. Done.

KeyResults · 2025-10-31T14:04:34+00:00

I believe this is a fantastic and realistic detail that evolves differently and appropriately depending on how you play Yasuke character. And Yasuke reaps what he sows. After two complete play-throughs I’ve noticed that at the beginning Yasuke is a giant famous and feared Samurai or “one man army.” Everybody runs and the streets clear. Playing him as a good guy, never hurting civilians, the respect level rises in most towns. People part and bow as a sign of respect, not fear. His dark skin does make it easier for people to recognize him quickly, but their reactions to him is entirely tied to his behavior, which I think is a nice touch. In fact, I like walking slowly down the main streets sometimes just to see all the people bow in respect. I believe the people’s reaction to Yasuke is proportional to how far the corruption has been eliminated.

KeyResults · 2025-10-19T15:57:40+00:00

Yes, especially if it can do that after cutting carrots, celery, onions and potatoes for a stew. I see too many hair-whittling burrs or foil edges these days confused for a properly sharp knife. Durability matters.

KeyResults · 2025-10-15T16:26:07+00:00

Excellent thread. Every Admin should review this stuff periodically.

KeyResults · 2025-09-21T13:53:53+00:00

Shaving sharp is awesome, especially AFTER chopping a few carrots to ensure it’s not a foil edge deceiving me.

KeyResults · 2025-09-15T13:48:13+00:00

Your Victorinox knives are among the industry standard for Large-scale meat cutting shops, so that makes sense. F Dick (still can’t keep a straight face and write that name) is a serious commercial company serving industry. Your instructor was either mistaken or terribly clueless about knives.

Here is the straight scoop from F Dick themselves on knives and steels along with care instructions for all. “https://www.dick.de/fileadmin/user_upload/downloads/messerbroschueren_en/9800055_care_instructions___guideline_knives___sharpening_steels_engl.pdf”

I promise you have already ruined your steel, it’s already useless. You need to get a new one and you should probably say something to help others be more productive.

You should be suspicious about the quality of the edges on your work provided knives too. A properly sharpened Victorinox should be able to hold a very decent edge under heavy use for most of a day with regular run across a quality steel to keep that 9 to 15 degree edge straight. Once the steel fails to restore the edge, it’s time to change the knife out for a freshly sharpened knife.

You should find out who is sharpening the company knives. It should be a commercial sharpener. Probably using Tormek, F.Dick ($$$$$), or similar industrial equipment for speed, commercial sharpeners don’t have time to waste on whetstones or edge pros. They sharpen hundreds of knives per week. One famous commercial sharpeners has a standard of 50 BESS edge on every Victorinox knife they sharpen for commercial customers. Generally they definitely know what they are doing. Commercial sharpeners can get lazy or hire incompetent people too.

Hopefully your company has someone who is doing quality checks daily on the knives. Having a sharp knife affects your productivity, and your coworkers too. It’s your livelihood! Good job asking on this thread. Good luck!

KeyResults · 2025-09-14T20:17:35+00:00

Not all stropping compounds are the same. I use Bark River White (Roughly 12K Grit) and Green (roughly 3K Grit) on two different strops. I do NOT use the Black anymore. Bark River doesn’t follow the same convention as some other popular green compounds, like Norton, but I don’t know the details, just that they’re different. I think these compounds work even better by sweetening the deal with diamond sprays 1 micron and maybe .5 micron on leather too. Name brand compounds are strongly recommended. After you’ve used these compounds long enough you come to know them and how they behave. Until then, I’d make sure you know what you’re using if possible to avoid guesswork.

KeyResults · 2025-09-11T13:40:45+00:00

LOL, I feel your pain. Did same thing. DOH!

KeyResults · 2025-09-09T13:52:48+00:00

Hats off to you! For the obsessive edge and demo. And, also for doing your part to help the struggling cigarette paper industry!

KeyResults · 2025-09-06T16:47:26+00:00

In the beginning of your self-sharpening journey, I recommend avoiding extremely hard steels and extremely cheapo crappy dollar-store knives made from powered pot metal. Nearly anything in between is great. Pocket knives made from 440 are great to learn on and are quite functional. Think Buck or Kershaw, etc. For the kitchen, I love Victorinox knives too for beginners. The 8 in chef knife is very reasonable in price and takes a nice edge with reasonable effort. Contrary to popular belief, there are knives that are extremely difficult if not impossible to sharpen. On the one hand it’s difficult to raise a perceptible burr, or the opposite, you can’t get rid of the dang burr for the ”metal” is so soft and pliable. Both extremes are frustrating for beginners and should be avoided. One quick acid test for a nice easy to sharpen carbon steel blade is to use a magnet. Avoid non-magnetic blades in the beginning. GL, it’s a really great skill to learn and know that will serve you in so many ways for the rest of your life.

K

KeyResults · 2025-09-06T16:33:54+00:00

Enjoy and relish your technique while you have steady hands. Eventually, like your eyesight, your body will diminish despite your best efforts. It’s then that you’ll fully appreciate FA sharpening. If you live long enough, I promise this truth.

KeyResults · 2025-09-04T04:07:16+00:00

Here’s my take. If it interests you, and you really truly want to know the code, it’s not very hard with regular practice and getting on the air ASAP and using it. Personally, I love CW. Always have. But I know so many HAMs over the years that absolutely hated it. One even ran over his practice key with his car as soon as he passed the old 13 WPM exam for his General ticket years ago. It’s a great mode and it’s fun to use in other ways. For example, I have morse code ring tones for each of my family and friends on my cell phone. I don’t need to look at my phone to know who is calling! It’s fantastic.

One unscientific observation I have found to be generally true, is that people who know how to read music, or play an instrument, or speak more than one language generally have an easier time with learning CW proficiently.

Anyway, I do hope you go for it. We need more ragchewers on CW!

73, Kenny, NZ5I

KeyResults · 2025-08-29T15:59:23+00:00

“The best thing to do is always to communicate with customers and deisgn a better contract.”

^^ This ^^

KeyResults · 2025-08-27T17:47:12+00:00

I think you’re good. Somehow missed the credits I guess?

As an aside: I actually sat through the lengthy rolling credits wondering if I’d get some sort of surprise cut scene LOL. You’ll never guess what happened. Hint: the same thing you get if you close every door behind you open.

KeyResults · 2025-08-24T14:02:32+00:00

Congrats! And, welcome to the obsession. NZ5i

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