I can't remember the specific videos but when I say "scrubbing" I'm referring to an almost circular motion with the paddles. Since the advice to really listen for the sound change, I'd say more overall "zen" has improved. I really do use the lupe a lot and have been paying more attention to the scratch patterns. I usually go through another 5 or so knives before I get back to posting to you guys and with every one the feeling has been getting a little better. I'm a little more comfortable with the process after every knife, if that makes any sense.

Rocco Jr.

Hey Curtis (I think that's your name cbwx),
The only reason I brought up "except ceramics" was purely out of not knowing. I was just bringing up different scenarios. Is there a minimum or maximum number of alternating strokes per side I should keep in mind? I realize it probably depends on the function of the knife and type of steel, but is there a loose rule of thumb I should stick to? Or should I instead just base it on what I see through the lupe?

Awesome guys thanks again. Yea they're not that bad so I think I'll be okay. Thanks for the tips as well.

Looking for a little clarification. In Clay's introductory video, he goes from the 100 through the 1000 grit paddles (I think) with alternating single direction strokes. While checking out a few random wicked edge YouTube videos, I noticed a lot of "scrubbing". It seems pretty easy to create a burr with the scrubbing motion. Is there a reason to use one method over the other? Should I do alternating strokes with everything except the ceramics? Should I use scrubbing through the first few grits to get a burr on the other side then switch to alternating single direction strokes towards the finer grits? You guys never let me down. Thanks.

- Rocco

Ok guys, my latest blunder. Took a few bites outta my leather strops accidentally running them across the wicked edge I just proudly made. They're not terrible, but they're not completely insignificant either. Will this noticeably reduce the effectiveness of the strop? Thanks guys.

- Rocco

Will do, thanks!

An old filet knife that came in a kitchen set

I dunno guys, according to the diagram here:
www.wickededgeusa.com/index.php?option=c...ctions&Itemid=81

my knife is too far forward and the tip needs to move back towards the clamp. Problem is, it's already so far back in the clamp it looks funny. I'm not sure moving it back any further would help. Any suggestions?

Ah very interesting, so I misunderstood then. So with that being the case, what about a single 5 degree micro bevel...would that dull quicker than a V edge, like a convex does?

Yeah, what Mark said.....and a little bit of "I just like convex edges" lol! The aspect of less maintenance was also appealing to me. I've heard because of the reason Mark brought up, "..has more steel behind it than a single beveled straight edge..." that it stays sharp longer without having to touch it up.

Will do. Thanks again Phil.

Thanks Phil! I can't wait for my loupe to get here so I can actually check out what I did in detail. I'd imagine being able to visually track your progress would make the process a little easier. I got an email notification saying there was a post on this thread by somebody asking "why the convex edge?" but it seems to not be here. My understanding is that the "arch" instead of the "V" gives the cutting edge a stronger, more continuous backing and it requires less maintenance than a V edge. Either way, extremely pleased. I won't know how great of a job I really did until tomorrow when my loupe gets here, but it performed pretty wicked without a doubt!

I just finished my convex edge and I can shave the hair off my arm with ease! Extremely excited (as passing the "easy" shave test was my goal) thank you so much for all your help! Ontop of that I took BluntCuts advice and just purchased a Peak 22x achromatic lense from Amazon. One other hiccup in the process was, as I was picking up speed with the stropping I got careless in my motions and on my backstroke drew my thumb across the edge of the razor-sharp blade. Was able to clean it out quick and put the flap of skin back down into place. Another valuable lesson learned! Regardless of my stupid blunder, beyond satisfied with my first attempt at a convex edge!

Wow this is awesome reading! The amount of information here blows me away, I spent quite a while looking for convex info and people keep introducing me to more and more. Any advice on what magnification loupe to get? Thanks again!

That's awesome Mark, thanks!

Hi guys,
Got my pro pack 2 a few days ago and I freakin LOVE IT! Making my first attempt at a convex edge on a large kitchen knife. Already kinda blew it because I thought I had the "sweet spot" via sharpie test, but as I got further into the re-profiling, I took away more of the shoulder at the tip than down by the heel (my edge is uneven). I decided to just chalk it up to a learning experience and go on so I took the edge to 17 degrees all the way through the fine ceramic. Now that I'm at this point, I need to make my 20, 19 and 18 degree angles. After all this rambling my question is, which stones should I use to make my other angles? Should I use my 1.4 or .6 ceramics or the 1000 grit stone? Then after I have made all my micro bevels my understanding is strop with both the 1 and .5 strops? Any advice would be awesome, thanks for everything guys!

- Rocco

Great guys, thanks so much for the advice! I double checked and ofcourse I had it backwards (batting a 1000 I know) the 1 micron paste was accidentally on the .5 strop, the worst of the 2 scenarios. I will try out your remedies. Thanks again!

Hello to all,
I finally got my pro pack 2 and regardless to say, I love it! I had some ample time to view videos and read up on material (being as I ordered mine during the holidays) so I was extremely pleased with my results right off the bat. I finally decided to bust out the strops last night and because I was being so hasty, put the .5 micron paste on the 1 micron strop. I immediately ran it under water and did my best to wipe the paste off without spreading it all over the strop. Any suggestions on how to better clean my strop before I apply the correct paste? I do not want cross contamination! Btw, thank you for all this vast wealth of sharpening information! I read a lot on here about some of you guys satisfying your sharpening OCD...finally people I can relate to!