I just bought the WE40 yesterday and am stoked for it to ship. I also got the 1500/2200 and the 4/2 micron strops. Is there a real need to go to the lower strops? I assume that a 2 should be plenty sufficient.
The 4/2s are probably our favorite all-around strops. Unless you're chasing an absolutely perfect mirror polish, the 2 will give you a hair-popping finish on all of your blades!
@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners thank you for the reply! I definitely don't need a crazy mirror polish. The functionality is much more impotent to me, so I will run the 4/2!! Greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
I was able to buy the WE Gen3 Pro today! Now, I want to expand my stones to 1500/2200, 3000/3 Micron Lapping. After watching the video, are the demonstrated strops with 1 micron and 0.5 micron, or would your lapping films be better for finishing? Which lasts longer, leather or lapping? I’m a bit confused with all the options!
If you're just going after a high polish, then Lapping Films are your best bet. If you're more interested in a more durable or refined edge, then the strops are how you should finish.
does the purity of the alcohol make a difference? I usually keep 99% isopropyl on hand for cleaning, but "rubbing" alcohol often means lower purity like 70% or 90%
We use the higher percentage to clean the blades themselves, but if you use a really high percentage you risk drying out the strops and causing them to shrink/peel. We usually use 90% or less on the strops to prevent this issue.
I’ve followed this video and when I strop it leaves a bunch of the compound on the blade, almost like the blade is wiping it off. Should that happen a lot? Am I putting too much compound or does it need to dry before use? Thanks
Good question. The compound needs to dry before use. If you're using the emulsions, they dry pretty quickly. The pastes take a little longer to dry but you can speed it up by spraying a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on the newly applied pasted and then rubbing it in some more.
I just bought Wicked Edge gen 4. And bought the leather strops. After watched this video. I follow exact with your demonstration. Start from the top and pushing up. I ended up cut into my brand new strip at the curve. 😢
@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners please consider velcro to attached the leather strip. the heavy layer of hot glue is nearly impossible to remove. Installing the new strip is a headache
How do you sharpen a small kitchen knife with the wicked edge??? The blade is not high and the sharpening stones come against the frame of the device!! Thx for info!!
Get yourself a Tormek small knife attachment, a lot cheaper than buying add on attachments from WE. They are fantastic for all small knives including folders. Do some research on them if you are interested.
In this video we are specifically using our leather strops. The tips and tricks can also be applied to balsa, although some users find that they only need to adjust the angle by one degree or not at all, like yourself.
To be honest, you dont need the strops. Just use the lapping films if you want a mirror. I use a normal strop for maintaining an edge and burr removal. Those lapping films are incredible 🤑
The Lapping Films do give a beautiful polish, no doubt. But the strops also serve different purposes than just a shine. They do a better job of removing the micro-serrations at the edge, leading to a more refined edge while also slightly rounding the bevels, creating a more durable edge than just using Lapping Films. Thanks!
if I have a double sided strop and apply a compound on each side, is it alright to have one of the sides pressed on the surface? Do you think it'll mess with the compound at all?
I just bought the WE40 yesterday and am stoked for it to ship. I also got the 1500/2200 and the 4/2 micron strops. Is there a real need to go to the lower strops? I assume that a 2 should be plenty sufficient.
The 4/2s are probably our favorite all-around strops. Unless you're chasing an absolutely perfect mirror polish, the 2 will give you a hair-popping finish on all of your blades!
@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners thank you for the reply! I definitely don't need a crazy mirror polish. The functionality is much more impotent to me, so I will run the 4/2!! Greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
Sweet hat my dude
This was very helpful; thank you
Glad it was helpful!
I was able to buy the WE Gen3 Pro today! Now, I want to expand my stones to 1500/2200, 3000/3 Micron Lapping. After watching the video, are the demonstrated strops with 1 micron and 0.5 micron, or would your lapping films be better for finishing? Which lasts longer, leather or lapping? I’m a bit confused with all the options!
If you're just going after a high polish, then Lapping Films are your best bet. If you're more interested in a more durable or refined edge, then the strops are how you should finish.
What is the purpose of spraying alcohol on the strops after loading it with compound? Does it help by activating the compound or something?
It helps the compound work into the leather and also aids in creating a little suction between the strop and the knife which promotes burnishing.
Ok, thanks for clarifying!
does the purity of the alcohol make a difference? I usually keep 99% isopropyl on hand for cleaning, but "rubbing" alcohol often means lower purity like 70% or 90%
We use the higher percentage to clean the blades themselves, but if you use a really high percentage you risk drying out the strops and causing them to shrink/peel. We usually use 90% or less on the strops to prevent this issue.
I’ve followed this video and when I strop it leaves a bunch of the compound on the blade, almost like the blade is wiping it off. Should that happen a lot? Am I putting too much compound or does it need to dry before use? Thanks
Good question. The compound needs to dry before use. If you're using the emulsions, they dry pretty quickly. The pastes take a little longer to dry but you can speed it up by spraying a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on the newly applied pasted and then rubbing it in some more.
@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners thanks! I’ll give that a try :)
I just bought Wicked Edge gen 4. And bought the leather strops. After watched this video. I follow exact with your demonstration. Start from the top and pushing up. I ended up cut into my brand new strip at the curve. 😢
Oh no! Reach out to our customer support team at support@wickededgeusa.com and we'll get you some new leather strips!
@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners please consider velcro to attached the leather strip. the heavy layer of hot glue is nearly impossible to remove. Installing the new strip is a headache
I have the emulsion compound, but what is the other compound in the syringe and is it required?
Our paste compounds come in the syringes. They are just another option for a stropping compound. If you have the emulsions, you're good to go!
How do you sharpen a small kitchen knife with the wicked edge??? The blade is not high and the sharpening stones come against the frame of the device!! Thx for info!!
Maybe try the low angle adapter. Check it out at their website.
Check out this video: ua-cam.com/video/sBOeHKuEO80/v-deo.html
The trick is to clamp the knife as high as you can in the vise.
Get yourself a Tormek small knife attachment, a lot cheaper than buying add on attachments from WE. They are fantastic for all small knives including folders. Do some research on them if you are interested.
Are you using leather strops or balsa or other? I use your balsa strops so I don't need to change the angle.
In this video we are specifically using our leather strops. The tips and tricks can also be applied to balsa, although some users find that they only need to adjust the angle by one degree or not at all, like yourself.
Witch strops do I need if I don't want to change the angle after sharpening?kangaroo?
Yes, kangaroo leather is much thinner and has less give to it.
To be honest, you dont need the strops. Just use the lapping films if you want a mirror. I use a normal strop for maintaining an edge and burr removal. Those lapping films are incredible 🤑
The Lapping Films do give a beautiful polish, no doubt. But the strops also serve different purposes than just a shine. They do a better job of removing the micro-serrations at the edge, leading to a more refined edge while also slightly rounding the bevels, creating a more durable edge than just using Lapping Films. Thanks!
Two degrees off is WAAAY too much. The strops don’t even make it halfway up the bevel with that much reduction in angle.
if I have a double sided strop and apply a compound on each side, is it alright to have one of the sides pressed on the surface? Do you think it'll mess with the compound at all?
one of the sides pressed on what surface?
@@WickedEdgePrecisionSharpeners workbench/wood, but I went and got two strops single sided anyways out of fear.