Upgrade arms kit $169 on close out? Yikes!

Clay, I hope you can find an ideal number of degrees to back off when moving to stropping with split bovine. I love how fast chromium oxide on split bovine can polish out all scratch marks, but it is so easy to round the edge. Once you work the paste or spray into the split bovine, those little fingers just polish away.

I just received my balsa strops and a set of split leather strops along with some HA diamond spray (0.25) and chromium oxide paste. I will be doing some experimenting this weekend, which is always enjoyable! I was just curious, what is the last stone you use before moving to the stropping phase. Please list the type of stone and the grit. What I would like to test is this, "at what point is stropping unproductive due to the blade being too coarse?"

Do they need frequent applications at first to built up a base? The leather does not seem to absorb any paste. It all wipes off on the blade.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I made a rookie mistake on the first blade. I did not tighten the bottom screw and the blade shifted. I just ended up with a secondary bevel. So I either have to blend them or refine the primary bevel. The second knife, a Benchmade Combat/Survival II (CSK-II), is coming along nice. I just can't get a nice polish with the strops. Perhaps I need another grit between the 1000 diamond stone and 5 micron strop?

Philadelphia unfortunatly. I really can't stand this city, but my father lives here and is 80, I work 20 minutes from home and live 5 minutes away from the only private shooting range in Philly. So leaving is not an option, at this time!

Hi all,
I am a 47 year old guy from PA. I have always loved a good blade and had knives ever since I was allowed to buy my first Swiss Army Knife for Boy Scouts. I really love all blades including swords and axes. I also enjoy firearms and compete in CMP Service rifle and NRA high power match rifle. This is shooting up to 600 yards with just iron sights; a real test of a rifleman.

I have bought many sharpening products and systems, but have always been disappointed. I hope this system is everyhing I expect it to be! I must get this of my chest. The WE arrived yesterday and I was bummed that it is made in China. For the price of the WE, I had hoped for Made in America.

More to come,
John S.