Most all sharpening issues arise from not enough time spent at lower grits to reach full apex, and inconsistant angle. Since you are using sharpening systems, you can rule out angle changes. You need a good strong light directly overhead, and at least 10x magnification. Try coloring the edge of the blade with a sharpie, when you think you're done with a grit, check it under magnification, you will see the sharpie where you did not reach apex. Recolor the edge every time you switch grits.
Once you get to apex you likely built up a burr, or wire edge. This needs to be removed once you get to the final grits. Stropping on a loaded balsa strop works, or plain fiber board (think ceral box) or plain leather. Strop only in edge trailing strokes and stop the stroke, then lift the blade straight up, avoid turning your wrist to try and flick/roll the blade off the end of the strop like a bugs bunny cartoon barber episode.
Pyramid steps work very well for ultra keen edges, I use pyramid steps when sharpening my straight razors (30 passes one side, 30 passes other side, then whatever increment step down like 5 passes less until you get to 10 or 5 and do one step increments.) In general you decrease pressure incrementally with each step up in grit. Your final passes should be uder the weight of the blade only.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Topic: Sharpening challenged? (Read 730 times)
