Clay,

Since were are on the subject of " Wet " Quick question - I lite spray of alcohol on strops is ok. I know you advise a drop of soap in water for Ceramic, I have tried this and it does help. My Question is Chosera, Is water and only water for several minutes the right way to use them? Working them into the wet film. Or is there other options, Just got the Chosera so I know I not getting even close to what they can do.

Thanks

JamesBell wrote:


James,

I let my Choseras soak for a couple of minutes, usually just long enough to set up my knife, then I rub them , like stones together, to generate some slurry. From there, I just moisten them periodically with spritz from a spray bottle I keep handy while I'm sharpening.

How does everyone soak the "2nd" Chosera? I.e. you use the 400, the 800 can be soaking. When you finish with the 400 then flip over the 600 it is dry, do you skip the 600 or just take a break to soak it, or is there some other way?

Soaking good question- If I plan to use them I start soaking them right off so I can flip them a few time while I using the diamond or ceramic. If I option to take a break, I always cover the blade with a cloth, I tend to be stupid and risk cutting myself if not careful. I hope some other will answer what they do to soak them, would like to know other options.

Also I tried the alcohol trick on the strops last night, just a little and it helped a lot.

JamesBell wrote:


I also try the alcohol trick once in a while. Works really well, makes me very cheerful

This was probably mentioned before but is it rubbing alcohol or denatured?

On leather I just add a bit more of the abrasive spray when necessary. Leather on alcohol is pretty harmless, drying more rapidly than water, but it can eventually loosen the glue attaching the strop to the paddle.

On nanocloth you can refresh with a water mist, although I rarely do this. If you are being picky I'd suggest deionized water, which is less likely to produce particle agglomeration which could be misinterpreted as a more aggressive finish from the clumped or agglomerated particles (larger micron size).

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Ken