I'm using a set of 1000/5000 Shapton Kuromaku stones, which should be good quality. I consistently use a honing guide to maintain my angle throughout the process. However, I can only feel a solid burr after using the 1000 stone, but not after the 5000. I notice a nice shine on the bevel after using the 5000, but the burr feels almost nonexistent. Should I be worried about not feeling a burr at this grit level? Are my chisels just not cutting it, or am I doing something wrong?
3 Answers
You might not actually feel a burr at that grit level. Once you're polishing at such fine grits, the burr can be super tiny or even breaking off. I find it's more about the scratch pattern than feeling a burr, so if you see the polish improving, you're likely good to go!
Yeah, it’s common not to notice a burr on finer stones, especially above 5K. If your chisels feel sharp after using the 1000, you can trust that the 5000 is just refining that edge. A good trick is to use a Sharpie to mark the edge; after a few strokes on the 5K, if the marker's gone, you’ve done your job!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely remember to use the Sharpie next time!
The burr can be so fine at 5000 that it’s hard to detect sometimes. Many experienced sharpeners suggest that if you're getting a nice polish and your chisels cut well, then you’re doing great! Get a loupe if you want to inspect your work more closely and see those micro burrs!
A loupe sounds interesting! I might grab one to check out my polishing progress.
Totally agree. If you notice a better finish, you’re definitely on the right track!