Search

Sharpening a Benchmade 551 Griptilian

pixmin

March 01, 2013 22:22

Hi,

I have been using my 551 for a while and feel it's time to get it sharp again. I have two tools to do this, a round stone (double face, the one from Gransfors that I use to sharpen my axe), and a diamond stone (two faces as well).

I was wondering if you had recommendations on using either of those. I would prefer not to have suggestions for other pieces of kit because I'm not going to get anything more. I would prefer to use the stone.

From what I've seen, I would need to find the angle of the edge and push it against the stone as if I was trying to slice it.

The 551 didn't come very sharp, sharp enough for general use, but definitely not shaving sharp. I'd like to get it back to at least how it was to start with, if not sharper.

Thanks

Comments

10 comments

trailboss

March 01, 2013 22:45
What are the grits of the diamond flat stones? And what size are they?

That's what I use for touchups. You are right: --lay the blade on the stone with the heel of the blade lined up with the edge of the stone
--lift the blade spine slightly
--and push the blade away as if you are slicing a thin layer off the top of the stone
--turn the blade over and slice back toward yourself (carefully)

That's pretty much it. Try your best to keep the same degreee of angle throughout the process.

Good luck!
0
pixmin

March 01, 2013 22:57
The Gransfors round stone has a coarse side and a fine side, that's all it says, it's made of sandstone quarried on the island of Gotland, sweeden, and it's about 6/7cm in diameter.

I don't have the diamond stone block with me, but it's about 3cm wide and 10cm long, one fine side, on coarse side.

Ok, that's what I thought, thanks, I was just surprised to see how small the edge is, I thought it would go for most of the blade like on a Scandi (Mora) knife, but it's just a few millimeters.

Thanks
0
ryxlyx

March 01, 2013 23:28
Stones are great, I used them forever. But if you can't get an edge as fine as you'd like you don't need to buy a fancy system-- a strip of ultrafine sandpaper on the counter works too.
0
pixmin

March 01, 2013 23:38
Thanks ryxlyx, just what I wanted to hear
0
fastjan

March 02, 2013 00:09
quote:

Originally posted by ryxlyx:
Stones are great, I used them forever. But if you can't get an edge as fine as you'd like you don't need to buy a fancy system-- a strip of ultrafine sandpaper on the counter works too.

Good point, Ryx. Most of the time I have used the ultra-fine sandpaper on a mouse pad and then stropped the blade to make it into a convex edge. Sometimes I cheat and use coarser paper to start with...it gets the job done faster. There are great videos on making a convex edge...anyone interested could probably find them on YouTube or the Bark River website.
0
fastjan

March 02, 2013 00:18
Here ya go...
0
trailboss

March 02, 2013 00:51
Fj, thanks for the vid. That's awesome.

I'm thinking I may need to buy some 2,000 grit sandpaper now.

@ ryxlyx, what grit of paper do you use?
0
pixmin

March 02, 2013 00:56
Thanks for the video(s) very useful.

One thing though that keeps coming back and I can't find a good explanation, what really is a "blur" when you sharpen a knife? Is it when the edge is making a "curve" on one side of the edge?
0
fastjan

March 02, 2013 01:42
quote:

Originally posted by pixmin:
Thanks for the video(s) very useful.

One thing though that keeps coming back and I can't find a good explanation, what really is a "blur" when you sharpen a knife? Is it when the edge is making a "curve" on one side of the edge?

I think what you are talking about is a "burr". Basically, once you have sharpened the edge to a very thin point, the fine edge metal will roll over to the side opposite the stone. You'll be able to feel it with your finger tip. I use my little finger, but you can actually tell if a burr is there by stroking the burr side along the hair on your head. It will "catch" if the burr is there.

So, yes, when you asked if it is the edge making a "curve" on the side of the edge, you are right.

When you strop the knife as the last step, the leather is actually straightening the burr and making it stand up. That's why the experts say you should never check the edge of a stropped knife by using your finger...because it will bend the burr.
0
pixmin

March 02, 2013 02:18
I see, that would be why I couldn't find what it was, it's a "burr", thanks a lot for the explanation, much appreciated!
0