Hey everyone! I just got my first set of Flexcut tools and have been really excited to use them. After watching some videos and doing a couple of stropping sessions, I'm finding that the knives are still not cutting through basswood easily—I have to exert quite a bit of force. Is this due to my stropping technique, or do brand new knives typically need more than just that to be fully ready? Appreciate any tips!
3 Answers
Are you sure they’re brand new? If they are, try the paper cut test or, if you're feeling adventurous, maybe some arm hair shaving! Just remember, even basswood can be tough to cut sometimes.
Don't forget, stropping is just for refining the edge, not sharpening. If all you did was a few passes after taking them out of the box, they probably need a proper sharpening session first. Grab a higher grit stone and start from 400 grit to really get them cutting well!
I’ve got my own Flexcut knives that never needed sharpening straight out of the package. It could be your cutting technique or the wood itself that's posing a challenge. Consider making smaller cuts and practice a bit; you'll get the hang of it over time!