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Best Sharpening Methods & What Angle?

February 06, 2013 04:29

Two quick questions:

1) What is the best method for sharpening Benchmades (i.e., sharpmaker, diamond rod etc.)? I'm not used to stones yet, and don't want to screw up the blade angle..

2) what angle is best? 40, 30??

I'm new to sharpening blades and don't want to mess them up.. If there is a system that you would recommend, it would be appreciated! - Jo

Comments

16 comments

kirbysdl

February 06, 2013 06:54
quote:

1) What is the best method for sharpening Benchmades

Benchmade's LifeSharp service, Sharpmaker, Edge Pro Apex, Wicked Edge, paper wheels, water stones, pretty much anything is reasonable as long as it works for you.

Since I can't hold an angle worth a damn, I ditched the Sharpmaker and got an Edge Pro. That's not to bad mouth the Sharpmaker though: I'm just not good enough to use it effectively.

quote:

2) what angle is best? 40, 30??

Two schools of thought. Either you use the angle that's best for the job (e.g. tougher jobs will abuse the edge more, and require a thicker, more sturdy edge made using a wider angle), or you copy the factory angle to take the least amount of metal off. For the former, it depends on your use. For the latter, mark the edge bevel with a Sharpie, and try different angles until you remove a lot of pigment with each stroke: that's the angle that's on the blade.
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fastjan

February 06, 2013 13:28
+1 to what kirby said. I'll just add that when I'm sharpening a blade that has a black coating, if I alter the blade angle too much so that a large sharpened edge occurs, that doesn't always look so great. So, that might be one limiting factor on how steep of an angle you would want to take.

If your finished sharpened edge is no thicker than a dime, that looks best to me. A radical back-bevel angle that produces exposed metal to a thickness greater than a penny can start to look strange...but that's just my opinion. It is much less noticable on an uncoated blade.
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charloosi

February 06, 2013 13:54
I, too, own an Edge Pro, and with it, I am able to get mirror polished, razor sharp edges. I haven't used the Sharpmaker so I can't contest to that, but I have people who have been successful with the sharpener. Lastly, I have heard great things about the Wicked Sharp. I originally wanted to purchase the Wicked Sharp but it was out of stock the time I wanted to order it.

As for blade angle, kirby's recommendation would be the best bet.
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fastjan

February 06, 2013 14:10
Most the time using the EdgePro, I will see what sharpener angle matches the existing factory angle and then I will just go one small increment steeper.

The key to most of this is to start a sharpening log that instantly lets you know what settings you used the last time you sharpened each knife. The log will be helpful if you are using one of the more expensive sharpening systems or even if you are just using crock-sticks or a Sharpmaker.
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bdleopard

February 06, 2013 17:56
quote:

Originally posted by Painstakingly Meticulous:
1) What is the best method for sharpening Benchmades (i.e., sharpmaker, diamond rod etc.)? I'm not used to stones yet, and don't want to screw up the blade angle..

2) what angle is best? 40, 30??

I'm certainly not a sharpening expert here. I've used a Sharpmaker for a long time with bad results. It seems that the stones are not nearly abrasive enough to do the job if your knife gets dull or has the wrong angles. People talk about adding sandpaper to the system, I've tried that and there isn't enough sandpaper in my town to sharpen the knives that I have.

As for angles, 40 degrees seems like a good compromise. I have numerous knives that came from the factory with bigger angles so they require serious reprofiling before you can even attempt to sharpen them. I've been told that sharpening for angles bigger than 40 degrees is a waste of time but I don't completely believe that either. The cheaper guides systems don't offer very many angle choices so you might have to pick something that is close to your factory edges and have at it. I have a new DMT Aligner that I'm trying to learn to use. If nothing else it has more abrasive stones. I started with it on a cheap CRKT knife and haven't gotten that one sharp yet so I haven't tried it on my more expensive Benchmades yet.
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grampa

February 06, 2013 20:20
I learned to sharpen on stones from my Dad back in the dark ages. Today I primarily use a 1x42" belt grinder with a variety of belts/grits.

I think that if you learn how to sharpen a knife on a stone, you can transfer that skill to any other sharpening system, and get exactly the edge you want.

The Sharpmaker isn't far from just a simple stone - though it tries to control angle by instructing the user to keep the knife vertical.

Note that any handheld sharpening system will result in a convex edge, due to the inability of the human hand to maintain an absolutely perfect angle. Some think that is a problem - I'm inclined to think it's generally a benefit. I think a convex edge is stronger than a flat edge, and will continue to cut well long after the actual edge is worn down.

My recommendation to the OP is to get a basic knife sharpening stone, or a fine grit diamond plate if he has wear-resistant steel knives, and learn to use that. Once he can get a good edge with that, he's on his way to being an expert!
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bdleopard

February 07, 2013 01:22
quote:

Originally posted by grampa:
My recommendation to the OP is to get a basic knife sharpening stone, or a fine grit diamond plate if he has wear-resistant steel knives, and learn to use that. Once he can get a good edge with that, he's on his way to being an expert!

And what is recommended along with this is to go to the second hand store, buy some really cheap kitchen knives, and practice on them first.
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painstakinglymeticulous

February 07, 2013 01:53
Thank's for all the tips guys, I'm going to use a friends Sharpmaker and try out a Wicked Edge.. See what works best for me.. I'll practice on a old beater before I try any newer Benchmades!
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grampa

February 07, 2013 02:08
quote:

Originally posted by bdleopard:

quote:

Originally posted by grampa:
My recommendation to the OP is to get a basic knife sharpening stone, or a fine grit diamond plate if he has wear-resistant steel knives, and learn to use that. Once he can get a good edge with that, he's on his way to being an expert!

And what is recommended along with this is to go to the second hand store, buy some really cheap kitchen knives, and practice on them first.

Yes, very good point! And do it again with any new sharpening tool!
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fastjan

February 07, 2013 03:11
quote:

Originally posted by grampa:
I learned to sharpen on stones from my Dad back in the dark ages. Today I primarily use a 1x42" belt grinder with a variety of belts/grits.

I think that if you learn how to sharpen a knife on a stone, you can transfer that skill to any other sharpening system, and get exactly the edge you want.

The Sharpmaker isn't far from just a simple stone - though it tries to control angle by instructing the user to keep the knife vertical.

Note that any handheld sharpening system will result in a convex edge, due to the inability of the human hand to maintain an absolutely perfect angle. Some think that is a problem - I'm inclined to think it's generally a benefit. I think a convex edge is stronger than a flat edge, and will continue to cut well long after the actual edge is worn down.

My recommendation to the OP is to get a basic knife sharpening stone, or a fine grit diamond plate if he has wear-resistant steel knives, and learn to use that. Once he can get a good edge with that, he's on his way to being an expert!

That was a very good post, Grampa. I don't think enough is said about the use of belt sanders as a great sharpening system. Also, they can be quite reasonable in price if you get one online at Harbor Freight Tools. It is the sharpening method of choice of many manufacturers. You do need a good supply of belts though, I assume.
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joel

February 07, 2013 03:54
I personally like a quality little diamond stone, I'm able to get all of my knives shaving sharp using one, AND its smaller than most of my knives so its very practical to keep in my car or even pocket when working or camping. Can u fit an edge pro or sharpmaker in your pocket and go about your business??
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dj

February 07, 2013 04:11
quote:

Can u fit an edge pro or sharpmaker in your pocket and go about your business??

It depends which pants Iam wearing .......LOL
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fastjan

February 07, 2013 05:19
quote:

Originally posted by joel:
I personally like a quality little diamond stone, I'm able to get all of my knives shaving sharp using one, AND its smaller than most of my knives so its very practical to keep in my car or even pocket when working or camping. Can u fit an edge pro or sharpmaker in your pocket and go about your business??

I bought one of these little diamond stones you are talking about. It was so small I couldn't get a good grip on it to sharpen anything, so I glued it onto a heavy paint stick. It works great now, but I'd rather just take a single crock stick and stuff it in the edge of a backpack for emergency sharpening out in the woods.
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cspaintballride

February 07, 2013 22:32
field sharpener. my job, it eats the edge, my leathermans blade is now a needle. i try not to use my benchmade but its a tool not a piece of china. snapping tips off them, gauging the edge, oh well, plus it gives me an excuse to buy another benchmade
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shytbyrd

February 07, 2013 22:55
Another consideration besides the amount you are willing to spend on a sharpening setup is do you want a setup that you keep at home, such as a wicked edge, edge pro, etc., or do you desire to be able to sharpen at home, work, and out in the field.... basically everywhere?

I fall into the "everywhere" camp and have opted to go with DMT diamond products of which I have way too many
My favorite has to be the Magna-Guide setup with folding diamond hones. I keep this setup and a few torx drivers in a small firehose bag/pouch I bought from Duluth Trading. It's about the size of one of those pencil zipper pouches kids use in school. I keep this in my backpack that goes everywhere I go and thus can keep an edge anywhere/anytime the need arises.

Just another option to think about. Rest assured, you'll probably end up trying, if not buying more than just one. Many of us have.
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bigdaddyw20

February 08, 2013 03:15
The sharpmaker works for me as long as I don't let the knife get too dull. If you get to that point then it's quicker to use something like an edge pro. I have a gatco system and have tried a friend's DMT aligner. Haven't used the edge pro myself but the guys here speak highly of it.
BD
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