All this while, i've been trying to improve my skills at sharpening high end steel, that i neglect the basic entry level steels. So i've been trying my hand at sharpening a few.
BUT,
I had a customer walk in a few days ago with a damascus blade. I'd call it Mysterymascus cause apparently, even the maker hasn't a clue what steel it is.
When i went at it with the 220 alumina stones, it just took steel off fast. I had my concerns about the quality of the HT. Nevermind that i found a 1 inch delamination line right on the edge.
I made sure i apexed the edges every time, and i finished at 600 alumina. removed the burr and made sure the edge was clean. Checked for flat spot with a flashlight, clean.
When i went to newsprint, it just could not cut.
I re-did the whole process again, this time with diamonds. 140, then 400. While it did improve slightly, it was far from effective. Again, same procedures for apexing and cleaning the edge.
I understand if it was improper HT, the edge would not last, but can it still be sharp? I just need the customer to see that it is sharp, edge retention really isn't my concern. I've already informed the customer that the edge would never last, and he's still adamant, just putting this out there that I've got my work ethics straight.
I'm at a loss. The only other time i faced problems like this was with a Boker Persian fixed blade in 440A and a Muela in...mysterymascus.
I've done 420HC's on leathermans, sandvik on mora's, AUS8's on Ontario's, 8CR13Mov's on spyderco's. I've never had issues with these steels.
BUT,
I had a customer walk in a few days ago with a damascus blade. I'd call it Mysterymascus cause apparently, even the maker hasn't a clue what steel it is.
When i went at it with the 220 alumina stones, it just took steel off fast. I had my concerns about the quality of the HT. Nevermind that i found a 1 inch delamination line right on the edge.
I made sure i apexed the edges every time, and i finished at 600 alumina. removed the burr and made sure the edge was clean. Checked for flat spot with a flashlight, clean.
When i went to newsprint, it just could not cut.
I re-did the whole process again, this time with diamonds. 140, then 400. While it did improve slightly, it was far from effective. Again, same procedures for apexing and cleaning the edge.
I understand if it was improper HT, the edge would not last, but can it still be sharp? I just need the customer to see that it is sharp, edge retention really isn't my concern. I've already informed the customer that the edge would never last, and he's still adamant, just putting this out there that I've got my work ethics straight.
I'm at a loss. The only other time i faced problems like this was with a Boker Persian fixed blade in 440A and a Muela in...mysterymascus.
I've done 420HC's on leathermans, sandvik on mora's, AUS8's on Ontario's, 8CR13Mov's on spyderco's. I've never had issues with these steels.