Thanks. There’s probably better ways to prove the point. I just kind of did an impromptu video because of a debate people were having on FB once again. So I just refined the edge of the one a little more so I could do the video

They kind of are. They’re a byproduct of it.

Thanks. I always tell people to find what works for them and go with that.

Yep. I've tested this on 6 packs of plastic bottles, against the webbing that holds the bottles together. Same as cans, but more room between the drinks. If you use a sawing motion and use only the weight of the blade, the mirror polished hair whittling edge will glide across the plastic several times before eventually cutting the plastic webbing. An edge straight off a 325 grit coarse DMT will slice right through it immediately.

NP anytime

Sharper has been proven to cut longer. For most they get a sharper edge at 600-800 because they over refine the apex in order to accomplish a polish. But people should do whatever they’re comfortable with. I am just pointing out why so many people believe that “toothy” is better than polished. Which in of itself is a myth. It comes down to skill level for most people. It’s a lot easier to do a “toothy” edge than it is to do a polished edge well.

I seen that last one you posted in Edge Snobs. Nice work

Glad this helped you. Thanks for the feedback

Thanks

Did you watch the video

The Gunny Juice was developed to work better than lapping films so that films could be replaced. So I use the juice. It’s better at removing scratches too.

So I designed the Juice to work best if you follow the progression. That being said just like with sharpening, the more skill you have the easier it is to skip progressions.

For my mirrors when I come off the Venev 1,200 (which is like a 6-8k stone) I go with GJ 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 micron.

@@GunnysSharptalk thank you for that. I was going to get the CGSW stones but couldn't find much info and heard the scorpion stones were going to get restocked, heard great things about those.

@@tomj0008 yes the Venev stones are great stones

Work your lower grits stones the most. Spend enough time on that second and third grit to really get rid of previous scratches. The less time spent on the higher grit stones and strops in order to get a polish the easier it is to keep that bite

It is. I used m4 because I had 2 of the same knife at the time. Over refining happens with any steel. Now I am not say everyone should mirror polish every knife every time. What you will notice with Gunny Juice is that you will start getting a polish just maintaining your edges. It’s kind of a side effect regardless. You will also notice that it drastically increases sharpness. And it makes it easy to maintain the bite.

If it bites into the paper towel in will bite into material without sliding across. That was the point in the video. To show people that if they get a mirrored bevel and it slides across vs biting into the material, then you have over refined the apex. It has been proven that a thinner edge cuts longer. That’s what makes it more difficult to do a proper mirror. Because most people can’t get a mirror without over refining their apex and taking the bite out of it. This is the reason I came out with Gunny Juice

I could do that. It would be a few weeks though. I just had another abdominal surgery Wednesday and I am still in the hospital. Should be here 3-7 days and then it might be a week or so before I am up to sharpening.

Still doing research myself but it seems that things like too much pressure on the strop or too much angle causes the edge to be ground on which dulls the blade. Leather deforms ever so slightly so it compresses under the bevel then springs back as the edge passes. As it springs back it can abrade the edge you spent time on perfecting and dulling the knife giving you a rounded apex. Think of it like a sanding belt system, you may have your angle perfect, but pressing on the belt causes flex which gives you a convex edge. The leather flexing is basically convexing your apex. Things like the tanning method, species the leather came from, thickness etc will all affect how a strop performs. Again, it is what I have read/heard. This is why some people advocate going to a shallower angle by a degree or 3 when stropping and using as light as pressure as possible, especially when learning.

There’s so many things that can effect it. Gunny Juice really does help polish while keeping bite to the edge. The key though is to do 80-90% of your work on the first 2 stones. Then you are just removing scratches basically. Don’t treat the leather with oil. If you run into issues you can always message me on FB. ( Scott Gunn)

@@Riyame try making a strop with basswood. You can pick it up at Hobby Lobby. It gives a nice crisp edge.

@@GunnysSharptalk I'm using the late Ken Schwartz emulsions. Got them when I bought my KME. I bought all four microns though I barely use the .5 and .1 micron. I have no issues with KME stropping, only free hand. You really have to make a conscious effort to stay on the bevel with a hand strop or your wasting time. Thanks for the FB offer Scott, but I refuse to use them. Thanks also for your input.

@@Riyame Thanks for the tips. "This is why some people advocate going to a shallower angle by a degree or 3 when stropping and using as light as pressure as possible, especially when learning." I'm doing this but no avail. I'm mostly on the angle or slightly less as you say. But as a knife curves you have to follow that curve by tilting upward as you go. And a edge gets thicker as the bevel travels toward the thicker spine and you have to allow for this as well. There is a lot to be aware of as the edge travels along the strop. Most of my sharpening whether it be the KME or by hand ends up having a steeper angle pass the belly to the tip. I'm really anal about trying to keep the same angle from heal to tip but I've never seen a factory grind that was. But I still enjoy trying. Only thing that's keeping me sane in this crazy ole' world. Thanks again!

Stropping even if you don’t strop to a mirror edge is great for edge maintenance. It can bring your knife back to sharp quickly while removing very little metal.

Happy this helped. Stay sharp

Both. I have mine polished and have plenty of bite. For most people I suggest toothy because it’s easier to accomplish. So most people can get a better cutting edge leaving it toothy.

Not sure why. Maybe because it’s been a week or so since I did any videos?

They both were Spyderco Gayle Bradly 2’s

​@@GunnysSharptalkI know, was just saying it looks like one as I love the sheepsfoot blade shape. So much so that I have 5 Griptilians, 3 full sized, lol. It's been my work knife for 9 years. Only knife that came close to dethroning it was Spydercos manix 2.

@@seniorxj2931 Oh yeah the blade shape kinda does

You might change your mind if you have ever had a properly done mirror. There’s plenty of testing to backup what I am saying. But to each their own. Sharpen however you choose.

@@GunnysSharptalk Brother i am doing what you are doing many years and whatever new abrasives come on the market , you name it , i have it and bringing super high carbide volume steel into super polish is waste of time cause if you're actually using your knives for what it is intended the matrix around carbides will break down quite fast and what you are left with is anyway exposed carbides (thats the main work horse of the edge retention) .. There are steels that definitely prefer supet high polish , im afraid to say m4 k390 etc are not one of them.. Thats my years of experience and im master sharpene🙏 There is advantage to properly made mirror edge on m4 cause it has amazing fine structure but if you are cutting what im cutting dirty carpets , nilon ropes and tons of zips that edge needs serations!!! If you cut plastic bags and envelopes (lets be honest here) than i understand properly made mirror edge will do better!!!

@@georgeyoung4292 thank you for sharing. I have been at this for 38 years. I have been a tester for new products for year. I also have scientific documentation that disputes your claims.

@@georgeyoung4292 feel free to produce your scientific evidence. Or message me on FB the evidence. I will message some of mine. I have pictures and tests of edges blown up showing the difference and the test results. The sharper knife performs better longer in the end.

@@georgeyoung4292 the edges were magnified using an SEM