Z-Max sharpening
Z-Max sharpening
Please share your Z-Max sharpening tips and tricks.
I am having good luck with diamond stones but not much with diamond paste stroping. A little is good but more seem to go south on me. I have 3,000, 15,000 and 50,000 diamond paste as well as green compound. I wanted to get a mirror polish but I can’t get it right.
I am having good luck with diamond stones but not much with diamond paste stroping. A little is good but more seem to go south on me. I have 3,000, 15,000 and 50,000 diamond paste as well as green compound. I wanted to get a mirror polish but I can’t get it right.
Mule Team Army 001
MNOSD 008
Stable Mules; Z-Max, Z-Wear, Magna Cut, SRS13, Rex 76, Rex T15.
MNOSD 008
Stable Mules; Z-Max, Z-Wear, Magna Cut, SRS13, Rex 76, Rex T15.
Re: Z-Max sharpening
I'm working with only a Sharpmaker, I have both the Diamond and the CBN rods with it. It took a LONG time to get it re-profiled to 15* each side. I found the diamond rods made deeper scratches in the metal than my CBN rods. Started with the diamonds and as I finally got down to the apex I swapped to the CBN. I found I was using too much pressure once I was hitting the apex, gave it much lighter pressure and then things seemed to come together for me. I gave it finishing passes on the brown rods and thats where I have stopped. It is sharp and it stays sharp!
I do have a leather strop and have passed the knife on it but I don't notice much difference. Maybe I need some diamond paste rather than just the green compound side and a bare leather side.
I do have a leather strop and have passed the knife on it but I don't notice much difference. Maybe I need some diamond paste rather than just the green compound side and a bare leather side.
Re: Z-Max sharpening
I found the diamond paste much quicker to get results.
Mule Team Army 001
MNOSD 008
Stable Mules; Z-Max, Z-Wear, Magna Cut, SRS13, Rex 76, Rex T15.
MNOSD 008
Stable Mules; Z-Max, Z-Wear, Magna Cut, SRS13, Rex 76, Rex T15.
Re: Z-Max sharpening
More notes:
I'm using a sharpie and a loupe while doing this. Adding the loupe to the kit really helped my sharpening the most. Next add will be something to lop off lots of metal quickly for a reprofile. I've been reading through the community sharpening thread and others to learn more before jumping further into it.
Sharpening this steel was an eye opener for sure as it was the hardest steel yet I have tried. It wasn't impossible but it does take a while, a long while, to do a reprofile with the Sharpmaker. Better tools would make it much easier hence my wanting to dive further down that hole.
I'm using a sharpie and a loupe while doing this. Adding the loupe to the kit really helped my sharpening the most. Next add will be something to lop off lots of metal quickly for a reprofile. I've been reading through the community sharpening thread and others to learn more before jumping further into it.
Sharpening this steel was an eye opener for sure as it was the hardest steel yet I have tried. It wasn't impossible but it does take a while, a long while, to do a reprofile with the Sharpmaker. Better tools would make it much easier hence my wanting to dive further down that hole.
Re: Z-Max sharpening
Do it...join us in the sharpening madness haha! It really does become its own part of the hobby. I don't do anything pretty, but the differences I've achieved from various grits and degrees have really surprised and impressed me! Suddenly spending the price on some new sharpening equipment, instead of a new knife, doesn't bother me at all, and is actually more exciting to wait for in the mail!
15 's in 10 different steels
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
1 - Bradford Guardian 3 / Vanadis 4E Wharnie
1 - Monterey Bay Knives Slayback Flipper / ZDP 189
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31/Macassar Ebony Inlays
1 - CRK Large Inkosi Insingo/ Black Micarta Inlays
1 - CRK Small Sebenza 31 Insingo/Magnacut
-Rick
Re: Z-Max sharpening
I wish I could join you fellers in this thread, but the Z-max was the one that got away from me. Closest I can get is S110V, but it sharpens nicely with Venev diamond stones.
I also use loupe and sharpie and I've added an "inspection microscope," which really helps. It's sort of like a low power microscope with binocular vision. It provides a clear view of every screw-up and mistake I make...
I also use loupe and sharpie and I've added an "inspection microscope," which really helps. It's sort of like a low power microscope with binocular vision. It provides a clear view of every screw-up and mistake I make...
Re: Z-Max sharpening
I agree about Venev diamond stones, they are quite good for high Rockwell steels)Bolster wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 1:01 amI wish I could join you fellers in this thread, but the Z-max was the one that got away from me. Closest I can get is S110V, but it sharpens nicely with Venev diamond stones.
I also use loupe and sharpie and I've added an "inspection microscope," which really helps. It's sort of like a low power microscope with binocular vision. It provides a clear view of every screw-up and mistake I make...
Re: Z-Max sharpening
Honestly I find the whole sharping part, hmm, relaxing, meditative? The sound, the feel, watching the metal change, I enjoy it more than I probably should. Give me some time I will be there with you guys.TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:56 pmDo it...join us in the sharpening madness haha! It really does become its own part of the hobby. I don't do anything pretty, but the differences I've achieved from various grits and degrees have really surprised and impressed me! Suddenly spending the price on some new sharpening equipment, instead of a new knife, doesn't bother me at all, and is actually more exciting to wait for in the mail!
Re: Z-Max sharpening
He sharps the knafs as a meditationtroutinCO wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:24 amHonestly I find the whole sharping part, hmm, relaxing, meditative? The sound, the feel, watching the metal change, I enjoy it more than I probably should. Give me some time I will be there with you guys.TkoK83Spy wrote: ↑Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:56 pmDo it...join us in the sharpening madness haha! It really does become its own part of the hobby. I don't do anything pretty, but the differences I've achieved from various grits and degrees have really surprised and impressed me! Suddenly spending the price on some new sharpening equipment, instead of a new knife, doesn't bother me at all, and is actually more exciting to wait for in the mail!
And those that watch never suspect
He doesn't sharp for the money he earns
He don't sharp for respect
He sharps the knafs to find the answer
The sacred geometry of ghosting edge
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The Rockwells lead a dance
I know that carbides are the swords of an Apex
I know that Arkansas' are weapons of Pro
I know that Sharpmaker works wonders for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
He may play the Venev diamonds
He may use ceramic plates
He may conceal a leather strop in his hand
While the memory of it fades...
Sting - Shape Of My Heart (a bit edited remix )
Last edited by AlexRus on Wed Nov 10, 2021 12:32 am, edited 18 times in total.
Re: Z-Max sharpening
Nice!
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Re: Z-Max sharpening
Hey AlexRus, nice remix, very edgy.
As for the Z-Max, I have not taken on the mirror edge. In fact I rarely do, or even attempt it. I hold very much to the user blade. With the Z-Max I have found it strops really well. I have been using mine with leather recently, I strop regular and the blade is always sharp. Not pretty, but sharp.
Hey Fireman, if you get that mirror edge please post the pics, and nice work putting the time in to try.
As for the Z-Max, I have not taken on the mirror edge. In fact I rarely do, or even attempt it. I hold very much to the user blade. With the Z-Max I have found it strops really well. I have been using mine with leather recently, I strop regular and the blade is always sharp. Not pretty, but sharp.
Hey Fireman, if you get that mirror edge please post the pics, and nice work putting the time in to try.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
Re: Z-Max sharpening
WELL DONE, sir! I hereby award you the coveted three avocado award!AlexRus wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:43 am
He sharps the knafs as a meditation
And those that watch never suspect
He doesn't sharp for the money he earns
He don't sharp for respect
He sharps the knafs to find the answer
The sacred geometry of ghosting edge
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The Rockwells lead a dance
I know that carbides are the swords of an Apex
I know that Arkansas' are weapons of Pro
I know that Sharpmaker works wonders for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
He may play the Venev diamonds
He may use ceramic plates
He may conceal a leather strop in his hand
While the memory of it fades...
Sting - Shape Of My Heart (a bit edited)
Re: Z-Max sharpening
Thank you, sir!Bolster wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 10:00 pmWELL DONE, sir! I hereby award you the coveted three avocado award!AlexRus wrote: ↑Tue Nov 09, 2021 8:43 am
He sharps the knafs as a meditation
And those that watch never suspect
He doesn't sharp for the money he earns
He don't sharp for respect
He sharps the knafs to find the answer
The sacred geometry of ghosting edge
The hidden law of a probable outcome
The Rockwells lead a dance
I know that carbides are the swords of an Apex
I know that Arkansas' are weapons of Pro
I know that Sharpmaker works wonders for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
He may play the Venev diamonds
He may use ceramic plates
He may conceal a leather strop in his hand
While the memory of it fades...
Sting - Shape Of My Heart (a bit edited)