Ken Schwartz’s Diamond Sharpening Films: Sizes of 1×6, 2×6, and 3×8 Explored
In the ever-evolving realm of ultra-tough Uber-Steels dominating the knife landscape, traditional sharpening stones face limitations. Enter Ken Schwartz and his Diamond Sharpening Films, providing a solution to this predicament.
While DMT and Atoma diamond plates excel at heavy-duty work up to #1,200 or 7 microns, their capacity peaks there. The alternative of diamond pastes often lacks the same robustness as plates due to lower abrasive concentration and shallower scratches.
Ken Schwartz’s answer is his Diamond Films on Float Glass, boasting an extensive grit range from 165 microns (100 grit) to 0.1 micron (150,000 grit!). Available in sizes like 1″ x 6″ for the Edge Pro, 2″ x 6″, and a larger 3″ x 8″, these films offer versatility and custom sizing options.
My test subject was a vintage Torrey Wedge straight razor, chosen for its potential in producing detailed microscope pictures. This demonstrates that diamond sharpening isn’t solely for super hard steels; it’s versatile.
I started honing the Torrey razor at 45 microns (320 grit) using the 1″ x 6″ Edge Pro-sized film, ensuring excellent handling of warps and razor intricacies.
Moving through the grits, 30 microns (500 grit) and 20 microns (800 grit) continued refining the edge, with the 9 micron (1,500 grit) film impressing me by delivering consistent scratch patterns akin to water stones rather than diamond plates.
The leap between 6 micron (3K grit) and 3 micron (6K) displayed significant polishing capabilities, creating a distinct ‘critical leap’ area. Despite this, the real leap felt more evident between 6 micron and 3 micron.
The 1 micron (15K) film, although capable of shaving, highlighted potential razor issues common with ultra-fine grits. Lastly, the 0.5 micron (30K grit) film tested the razor’s limits, emphasizing a clean bevel despite nearing the edge of usability.
For the final stage, I switched to Ken Schwartz’s 0.125 micron CBN on balsa instead of the 0.1 micron diamond film to meet the razor customer’s request.
In conclusion, Ken Schwartz’s Diamond Films offer a comprehensive range from coarse to ultra-fine grits, proving effective across the spectrum. They demonstrate prolonged cutting action compared to conventional sandpaper, making them a standout choice. And yes, the shave was wonderful!
