New brown rod grit/process/or something?

[cabfrank]

Thanks. Sounds like the powder and glass plate is a better idea.

[dj moonbat]

Any idea if some type if sandpaper would work, instead of ordering the silicon carbide powder?

It doesn’t make economic sense to buy loose carbide rather than just buying new rods, assuming that you don’t have other stones that need lapping. If you have the powder already, sure: might as well use it. But a jar of the powder is about three quarters the cost of a rod, and once you’ve lapped it a couple of times, the rod will need to be replaced because it’s going to get too small to fit the jig.

[Evil D]

New rods were $12 a set on sale, they're $15.75 right now at Knife Center. I'm not all for just throwing things away but if I have to buy anything to refresh those rods plus my time doing so, I'll pass. But I do have some silicon carbide sandpaper so I'll give this a try just to see if it makes a difference. I could use some powder for lapping but I pretty much use diamond plates exclusively these days.

[pinchyfisher]

Oh certainly from a straight economics perspective its hard to justify the lapping adventure. But..... this a knife forum haha! Logic and reason don't always take the front seat.

I haven't lapped sharpmaker rods but have done it with the medium and fine benchstones with loose coarse SiC. It made a noticeable difference and if I remember right was a bit slow going.

[cabfrank]

I was thinking the same, just buy new brown
rods. But the rods I would want, CBN, are much more expensive.

[JoviAl]

I was thinking the same, just buy new brown
rods. But the rods I would want, CBN, are much more expensive.

The CBN’s are excellent. The CBN double stuff especially is a fantastic bit of kit for on the go or travel. I’ve brought mine with me as my only sharpening kit for my summer hols around Europe and the UK and I don’t feel like I’m under equipped. Hopefully you might find the CBN rods for a good price over the 4th of July sale.

Also to all Americans on here - I hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July

[vivi]

carbide grit powder is super cheap, like $2 a tub cheap that'll be enough to refinish 10 sets of rods.

buying new rods can get you a fresh set with little expense, but with different grits of carbide powder you have more flexibility. you can make the brown rods more or less coarse than they come from factory.

I didn't re-finish mine with loose grit to save $20. I did it to make them extra coarse compared to a new set. I use my medium rods so much more than I ever did now.

[cabfrank]

Thanks Al, have a great day too!