The hack that finally made my knife edge last more than a shift

Okay so I've been fighting with my edge retention for months. Changing steel types, different stones, stropping with diamond spray, nothing worked. I could get a razor edge at 7am and by 11am I was fighting with tomatoes. Last week I tried something dumb. I started deburring on a piece of cardboard after every sharpening. Just a couple light passes on the cardboard before I hit the strop. Now my edge lasts all service. I don't get it but I'm not questioning it. Has anyone else tried this or am I late to the party?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jake2d ago

Wondering if the cardboard is pulling off a tiny burr that the strop is just burnishing down instead of actually removing. Have you gone straight to the cardboard without the strop to see if it still holds up?

michaeljones2d ago

Two nights ago I actually tried cardboard straight off the stones and it held up fine for about 15 shaves before I messed it up by trying to get fancy with a ceramic hone. Knowing me I probably just wasn't paying attention and rolled the edge anyway, which is my default state of being.