Thanks to some pix from our old buddy YTReich in South Dakota, you can see what happens when you take a 710 M4, sharpen it on an EdgePro through all the stones and tapes, then try your hand at actually splitting a human hair. He didn't even strop the blade. Keen edges are the M2 and M4 trademark.




He had a bunch more pictures, but if these show up, they should do.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fastjan,

!!!!!!
i need an edgepro !!!

quote:

Originally posted by pascal.abi:
!!!!!!
i need an edgepro !!!

I agree with this 100%...this whole time I thought hair splitting sharp was just a phrase used to describe scary sharp...never would I think this actually possible!!!

quote:

Originally posted by pascal.abi:
!!!!!!
i need an edgepro !!!

+1 to that.

Absolutely incredible!

With OCD and practice I am now to the point where hair whittling from freehand sharpening or the Sharpmaker (for my hawkbills and SE) is my standard for carrying my knives. M4 and ZDP 189 get the sharpest of any steels for me so far, but 154CM, VG-10, S30V, CPM D2, D2, Super Blue, and every other quality steel I have sharpened can reach hair whittling levels, some as early as DMT Fine and all by Spyderco Fine. By finishing with 3M lapping film in 1 micron, .3 micron, and .05 microns you can get extremely impressive edges. For quick hair whittling edges you can microbevel on the sharpmaker, then stick strips of PSA backed lapping film to the rods to get that ultra sharp edge in minutes. I personally am more of a benchstone (DMT, Spyderco, and Shapton Glasstones) guy with the lapping film over a glass plate these days, however the Sharpmaker is a good tool for quick touch ups.

Then again, the Edge Pro can get you those edges in much less time than the OCD and practice time it took me to get my freehand as decent as it is.

Mike

Mike

Good info Gunmike1! That 3M lapping film sounds high tech. I'd like to hear more about that.

I like the idea of doing a micro bevel on the EP, maybe step the angle up just a touch right before you get into the tapes or even the 600 stone.

I need to try a ZDP-189 as soon as they use it in a knife I like, like the Military or Para. I don't know what the other good Spydies are.

The sharpest blades I've ever done were M2, M4 and CMP D2. I've also gotten some wicked edges on VG-10.

I hope to hear a bunch more from you on the forum.
-fj

3m lapping film is available at Tools for Working Wood online, and it is probably the same stuff Edge Pro sells. I got the .05 micron stuff from PSI Dragon, and it is $4 per 8.5"X11" sheet compared to $2 per sheet for the 1 microm and .3 micron at Tools For Working Wood. Those lapping films are a cheap way to get a super polished edge.

My favorite Spyderco in ZDP 189 is the Stretch 2. They are coming out with a FRN handled ZDP Stretch 2 that will sell for just over $100 if you want to save money. The Caly 3 CF is also great, and for under $100 you can get a ZDP Endura. My Endura was sent to Tom Krein for a full flat grind to a .010" edge and that thing really cuts. Next to M4 ZDP gets the sharpest when I hit the stones. CPM D2 is great stuff as well, but my Mule in M4 and Krein Custom in M4 are my sharpest knives. The Stretch 2 isn't far behind though, and it easily holds a 7 degree per side edge with a 10 per side microbevel for EDC cutting. That thing gets so sharp it is hard to split hair because it just severs the hair in 2 pieces when you try to whittle it.

All quality steels can get hair whittling sharp though, it just takes lots of practice (or an Edge Pro). S30V, 154CM, D2, VG-10, they all get hair whittling sharp pretty easily as long as the heat treat is good so you don't have to fight burrs the whole time you are sharpening.

Mike

Thanks for the new info gunmike1.

I just ordered one. I can't wait.