thekid77 Report post Posted September 28, 2014 hi all, when sharpening my awl, i noticed that at the very tip, it comes to such a fine point that the metal (a very small portion) is like foil and just bends.... how do i remove this?? i have tried stropping it away on leather and its still there...it just bends back and forth, and makes the awl unusuable since it catches the leather when piercing it... on one of my other awls, i had the same problem, and i tried running the foil tip straight against a fine grit sharpening stone, and I seemed to be able to sand it away, but i dont know if this is the "right" way to do it... any suggestions are appreciated thanks!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted September 29, 2014 That's normal, and it's a good thing to have that little rolled up edge when sharpening. A very fine stone is the way to remove it before stropping. Check out this video on sharpening a round knife ... Same idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9NvllVNGcM Hope that helps Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thekid77 Report post Posted September 29, 2014 That's normal, and it's a good thing to have that little rolled up edge when sharpening. A very fine stone is the way to remove it before stropping. Check out this video on sharpening a round knife ... Same idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9NvllVNGcM Hope that helps Bill Thanks Bill, that helps a lot...unfortunately I only have an 800 grit stone which is the finest stone I have....after that, I have to use wet/dry sandpaper....seems to work but I was just wondering how to get rid of that flappy piece of metal. Thanks again Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
electrathon Report post Posted September 29, 2014 If you are dealing with more than a few thousands of an inch you have an issue with soft steel. If the blade was cheap or if it has been overheated during sharpening it will make this happen. The burr that Paul is talking about will generally break off during sharpening or stopping. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thekid77 Report post Posted September 30, 2014 If you are dealing with more than a few thousands of an inch you have an issue with soft steel. If the blade was cheap or if it has been overheated during sharpening it will make this happen. The burr that Paul is talking about will generally break off during sharpening or stopping. great information, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!! :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted September 30, 2014 You may also have a "soft spot" in that blade, . . . that has now come up for air. Work on that tip with your stone and/or sandpaper, . . . if it is a soft spot, . . . a little farther back, . . . you should be allright. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted September 30, 2014 Once you get out to that foil edge you may need to raise your angle a bit to strop that off and leave the sharp edge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
