help / ace standards

[Friends call me Pac]

I bought a pack of them and they seem real nice.  They are stout and fly fine but the problem I'm having is getting them sharp without spending a lot of time on each head.

I used a file and got it shaving hair but it didn't cut as easy as my magnus heads.  Had to apply more pressure to shave.

Next I tried a KME knife sharpener and basically couldn't get it as sharp as with the file.

I next used my lansky and stuck a file handle into the 20* slot and worked the edge down.  Then I went through the usual set of stones and finally got it to shave effortlessly.  

It took a long time with the file and lansky.  I did get the results I wanted but is there an easier less time consuming way to get these heads razor sharp?  Is the steel really hard compared to my magnus heads?

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

I start the process by laying a mill file flat and drawing the head backwards, pretty much the same way you'd sharped a Snuffer. Once I've rolled and removed the bur, I switch to either a fine ceramic crock stick or a fine sharpening stone and work it like a knife. A leather strop finishes the job.

From new in the package to leaving a bald strip down my arm in one pass is less than five minutes.

[Ben Maher]

I get them what I consider sharp enough with the file but when I'm putting "shaving sharp" on my heads , well ...just what Jason said !

[Zradix]

try a paper wheel. Get the set that has the "grinding" wheel also

[Friends call me Pac]

Got a new head shaving pretty quick after watching the tusker sharpening video.  It's basically like you guys said.  Draw the edge down the file then hard Arkansas stone.  It was shaving but then I stropped it on a piece of leather and bingo.

The file only edge was pretty sharp and I think it will work but I wanted to shave hair without hardly any pressure just for confidence.

Thanks for the help.

[straitera]

My Ace 160's are still way sharp. You've removed much metal w/the file & changed the original bevel. You'll need to establish another solid straight bevel (angle of your choice) before your burr is consistent enough to easily remove. Burr removal on a straight edge is key to hair shaving IMO w/honing rouge on a cardboard, cotton, or leather wheel. I sharpen surgical instruments for a living. Call Ron@KME. He'll walk you through.