Really fell in love with the composite wheel on my T-2 so much I ordered a CW-220 composite wheel along with my new T-8 Custom (drive-by gloat). Got me thinking about my honing procedure, and how I can increase edge quality, and customer satisfaction, and make my life easier?
So I'm thinking ; CW-220 , LA-220 with PA70, and LA-220 with Chromium Oxide, should be about right?
Yes this works. Up to a point. This progression, I found, will give BESS scores between 150-120 for lower/mainstream knives. It will NOT however work for higher end or hard/ wear resistant knives ( those with a tendency to negative burr).
I introduced a rock hard felt wheel with 1 micron diamond between the Tormek honing compound on leather stage and the chromox on leather stage. At +2 degrees for most steels producing positive burrs this extra step will take BESS below 100. Sometimes 90 sometimes 70 ish.
Worth the extra step?
Maybe the difference between ' very sharp' and 'crazy sharp'?
If so the customer pays for the extra step?
I've been playing around with my progression for low-end knives a little.
Here's my new protocol:
1. CBN 400 wheel
2. 2x leather belt with PA-70 at +2°
3. 2x leather belt with PA-70 at actual angle
4. 5-7x stropped on hanging denim with Flitz metal polish
Test Case:
Mercer Culinary M22608 Millennia Black Handle, 8-Inch, Chef's Knife ($26 on Amazon)
Edge angle 12° per side
Dulled blade on fine side of Tormek truing stone
Total Sharpening Time: 7:29
BESS Score: 80