A mirror polish on a knife edge can be achieved through the use of diamonds and Japanese whetstones. This process requires a combination of abrasives and elbow grease, but the end result is a shiny, reflective edge that is both visually appealing and highly functional.
To start, you'll need to gather the following tools and materials:
- Diamond stones or diamond paste
- Japanese whetstones (such as a Chosera, Shapton or Suehiro Whetstone)
- Water for lubrication
- A stable, flat surface for sharpening
Once you have everything you need, follow these steps to produce a mirror polish on your knife edge:
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Begin by using the coarsest grit diamond stone or diamond paste to remove any nicks or burrs on the edge of the blade. Move the blade back and forth across the stone at a consistent angle, using a light touch to avoid over-polishing or damaging the blade.
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Once the nicks and burrs have been removed, move on to a finer grit diamond stone or diamond paste to continue refining the edge. Repeat the back and forth motion, using a light touch and consistent angle.
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After refining the edge with the diamond stones or paste, it's time to switch to Japanese whetstones. Start with the lowest grit whetstone, which is used to create a slurry of fine abrasive particles on the surface of the stone. Rub the blade back and forth across the whetstone to create the slurry, then move on to the next grit
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With the slurry created, it's time to move on to the next stone, which is a medium grit stone used for further refining and polishing the edge. Again, use a consistent angle and a light touch as you move the blade back and forth across the stone.
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Once you've achieved a smooth, polished edge with the whetstone, it's time to move on to the finisher stone, which is a very fine grit stone used to produce a mirror-like polish. Again, use a consistent angle and a light touch as you move the blade back and forth across the stone.
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After using the finisher stone, the edge of your blade should be highly polished and reflective. If you want to take it to the next level, you can use a strop to further refine and polish the edge. A strop is a leather strap that is used to remove any remaining burrs or imperfections on the edge. Simply run the blade back and forth across the strop with a light touch, using a consistent angle.
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Once you've finished sharpening and polishing the edge, be sure to clean and dry the blade thoroughly. This will help protect the blade from corrosion and maintain its sharpness and shine.
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With practice and patience, you can use diamonds and Japanese whetstones to produce a mirror polish on the edge of your knife. This process requires a combination of abrasives and elbow grease, but the end result is a shiny, reflective edge that is both visually appealing and highly functional.
