----KurtS wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 1:39 pm Mark recommended the Shapton 500, 1000 and 4000 glass stone kit a couple years back. I've learned to use them reasonably well, as the three Shun VG-10 knives in my collection tend to microchip easily. My 40 year old Henkel Professional S knives are way more forgiving but don't seem to get as sharp.
I use a plain leather strip for final stropping to remove burrs and a ceramic rod to refine edges between sharpenings. I have a steel for my German knives as well.
As my next investment, would I be better off with a Strop kit or add higher grit stone? I intend to buy a Japanese laser gyuto and a 6-7" petty/boning knife for BBQ prep shortly. I'd like to try a high carbon gyuto but a laser super steel has my interest. I'd probably buy a high performance entry- to mid-level Japanese Gyuto to see if I like the style.
Thanks for your advice.
The SG kit you have should produce a nice polished edge for most knives, even future Japanese carbon blades. The leather finishes edges nice and crisp. I have a bovine strop I keep clean and conditioned and it makes edges very crisp.
If the Shun VG10 knives are micro-chipping and if you haven't done so, put them though a full progression starting with the 500. If you have already done so, increase the sharpening angle slightly, i.e. from 15 degrees to say 16 or 17 degrees which should reduce or eliminate the chipping. Some knives don't ever get sharp, it is what it is.
If I were you, I'd get a carbon gyuto and see how well the the SG kit does...you may be amazed! If you want more polish I'd recommend a natural stone: a Belgian Blue Whetstone <<. They polish well and are affordable, easy to use and last a lifetime. If you want even more polish, get a Coticle <<. I use my Belgium stones all the time to keep my best blades touched up for a balance of keen and polished.
