Polished Knife Using The Lanskey Leather Strop

There are several different editing features that are ideal for various activities depending on how you use your knives. Either a “working” edge, or a polished “mirror” rim may have been heard. The only difference is the level of refinement between these two types of borders. Both corners are sharp and usable for a wide range of operations, but the edge has a smoother, finer edge. In general, a “work” edge is used to describe a sharp, but not highly polished / refined edge and can be somewhat rough. In convenient circumstances or for hard tools like shovels, hoes, machetes and even some knives a working edge is used many times.

A mirror edge is a highly finished edge which is so polished and reflecting, true to its name. It can take time, but definitely worth the effort to achieve a polished mirror on the edge. The smooth surface of a “mirror” edge provides less resistance when cut, thus turning the cutting of cord, wood or other dense materials into a breeze. Weniger resistance = lower friction = greater capacity for cutting and greater edge control.

So how do you get the edge of a mirror? It takes time, patience, accuracy and the right tools, as do many things in life. The use of a controlled angular sharpening system from Lansky is perfect to learn how to place a mirror edge on the blade. You can rely on a steady angle, higher grains and an easy to use system. What Lansky System you use to create a mirror edge doesn’t matter, but Deluxe Diamond system is my personal favorite.

If you are interested about leather strop, we have the best reference for you here. It will direct you to make a decision, which the best one of leather strop that you need.

Tips to Getting a Mirror Edge with Lanskey

You simply need to take your time to remove the scratch from the previous hone using each hone.

Start by ensuring that your pin is properly assembled and holds the cuff firmly. Follow these simple clamp mounting directions.

• Four complete turns loosen the front silver screw. Tighten the red thumb screw with your fingers only and loosen it back for a complete turn. Set the knife in a clamp’s jaws and tightly pinch the jaws of the clamp with your fingers. Do not pull the screw over.

Now, put together the hones you are going to use. You may only need to start with a medium or fine hone depending on the sharpness of your blade. Before moving on to the next, make sure you remove the scratching from the last hone.
I started using a Fine Diamond Hone (knife is already sharp). Notice the pattern on the left edge of the hone.

When you start using grains over 1000, the problem comes. Pay attention and use even slow strokes to begin to polish the edge. Keep an eye on the pattern and marks left after each couple of strokes by your honing. Only move to the finer grain hone or stropping hone if all the sratches of the previous hone are removed.
The edge is very refined, however still not entirely mirrored when the Ultra Fine Hone and the Super Sapphire Hone are used.

Once you’ve worked through all the stones, it’s time to use your Stropping Hone Lansky Leather. The hone alone doesn’t really do much to polish the edge and so the pulling hone with the stropping compound has to be loaded. I usually use a red joystick or a simple buffing compound. The polishing compound can even be labeled in microns in a range of grits. I suggest a green compound for buffing wheels if you are looking for something generic. In most hardware stores it is usually found and quite cheap.

Using the Lanskey Leather Strop is a bit different that using the other hones. Rather than push the loaded stropping hone against the edge, you’re going to pull the hone across the edge. This will not only gently polish your edge to a mirror finish but also buff away any wire edge or burr that formed while sharpening, leaving you with a “scary sharp” edge.The Stropping Hone is a bit different from the other hones in the use of Lansky Leather. You’ll pull the hone over the edge rather than pull the loaded stropping hone. This does not only polish the edge into a mirror finish, but also smoothes out any wire or burr that was sharpened and gives you a “scary sharp” edge.

This blade is finished with an absolutely polished mirror edge. The process is quite fast, but make sure you remove the scratches from the previous stem completely after each step.