I have been involved with Japanese knives for several years now, starting with a Mizuno Tanrenjo gyuto back in 2008. As would be expected, I have developed quite a collection knives, most of which are carbon, but also some Ginsan. As my collection grew I also grew my sharpening skills. Like many, I started with Chosera stones, then added stones from Maxsim and Jon, and other synthetics. Sometime last year I got into Japanese naturals, and now have a really good collection of those stones. Pretty much sharpen exclusively with Jnats now.
Lately I have developed an interest in the Western knife makers. Ive acquired a couple of Devins, a Marko, and Ealy, HHH, and Rodrigue. These were second hand knives, except for a Marko which is on the way. Unlike my carbon knives, these are mostly AEB-L, and therein lies my problem: I just cant seem to get them as sharp as my carbon knives.
My typical sharpening sequence is as follows: Aoto, Mid Polish (Ohira Suita, Shinden Suita, etc.), Final Polish (Nakayama Tomae). My process is a reducing number of strokes on one side, flip it over and repeat on the other. Usually 25, 20, 15, 10, 5. Of course I am eyeballing and feeling the edge along the way, but I like a framework in my mind. I finish by stropping on horse.
I have tried this with my SS knives. I do get a burr with my harder Aoto, or an Aizu. (I have lower grit stones, natural and synthetic, but dont really use them unless I have a problem.) I also acknowledge that the feeling of SS knives on the Jnats is not as pleasant as carbon. And they are just not getting as sharp.
So, what to do? I can simply use the same stones and up the repetitions (significantly) on the polishing stones (I am getting a burr on the Aotos) or I can revert to synthetics. In that case I would use the Gesshin 2, 4, and 8k, and maybe the Chosera 10k?
I am not going crazy with these American knives, as there seems to be a predilection to exotic handles and (in my mind) unbelievably glitzy Damascus. But I do like the plain ones, appreciate the heat treatment, profile and grind. Just want to be able to sharpen them!
Lately I have developed an interest in the Western knife makers. Ive acquired a couple of Devins, a Marko, and Ealy, HHH, and Rodrigue. These were second hand knives, except for a Marko which is on the way. Unlike my carbon knives, these are mostly AEB-L, and therein lies my problem: I just cant seem to get them as sharp as my carbon knives.
My typical sharpening sequence is as follows: Aoto, Mid Polish (Ohira Suita, Shinden Suita, etc.), Final Polish (Nakayama Tomae). My process is a reducing number of strokes on one side, flip it over and repeat on the other. Usually 25, 20, 15, 10, 5. Of course I am eyeballing and feeling the edge along the way, but I like a framework in my mind. I finish by stropping on horse.
I have tried this with my SS knives. I do get a burr with my harder Aoto, or an Aizu. (I have lower grit stones, natural and synthetic, but dont really use them unless I have a problem.) I also acknowledge that the feeling of SS knives on the Jnats is not as pleasant as carbon. And they are just not getting as sharp.
So, what to do? I can simply use the same stones and up the repetitions (significantly) on the polishing stones (I am getting a burr on the Aotos) or I can revert to synthetics. In that case I would use the Gesshin 2, 4, and 8k, and maybe the Chosera 10k?
I am not going crazy with these American knives, as there seems to be a predilection to exotic handles and (in my mind) unbelievably glitzy Damascus. But I do like the plain ones, appreciate the heat treatment, profile and grind. Just want to be able to sharpen them!