D2 Blade sharpening angle and issues with tip?

waterfowlhunter

• March 18, 2014 17:38

I sharpen all my high quality knives with a Gatco diamond set and always get a razor sharp edge that you can easily shave with. the problem I am having with my Benchmade D2 blades is that I can not get the rounded edge from where it rounds all the way to the very tip as sharp as the rest of the blade. I do not have this issue with any other knives so I am wondering if there is some difference as to the technique needed on this blade? Also what is the factory blade angle on these griptilians with the D2 blade?

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  axisfan

  • March 18, 2014 19:41

  Don't know what the factory angle is, but I used to use the same sharpener on a cabelas d2 mini grip with no issues. Which slots are you using? Could it be not quite apexed completely? Maybe try a larger angle or more time at the angle you're trying now.

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  fastjan

  • March 18, 2014 21:25

  First, Benchmade knives are hand sharpened so there is no exact factory edge angle.
  
  Second, D2 is a little more difficult to sharpen. After all, it is a tool steel that was designed to cut other steels, so it will resist sharpening. Once you get it sharp, try not to let it get too dull before you resharpen.
  
  Third, the curved tip is a more difficult area to sharpen than the straight part of the blade. You'll want to make sure that your sharpener is cutting all the way to the edge. Paint the edge with a Sharpie or Magic Marker and then see if your Gatco diamond cutter is removing the ink clear to the edge. If not, keep grinding and you will eventually get there. If you are cutting all the way to the edge, your cutter will leave a burr on the opposite side from the one it is cutting and you'll be able to feel it with your finger. Always make sure that you are getting a burr all the way along both sides of the blade before you switch to a finer stone. As long as you are getting a burr, your knife will get sharp, no matter what shape or steel it is.
  
  Good luck. Let us know how it goes. If it is still giving you fits, Benchmade will sharpen it. Check out their LifeSharp program: http://www.benchmade.com/services/lifesharp_service

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  ryxlyx

  • March 18, 2014 23:38

  quote:

  You'll want to make sure that your sharpener is cutting all the way to the edge

  
  That's what I'm thinking. As you progress along the sweep toward the tip it's not unusual w/ handsharpening to find the angle changing a tad. Gen'ly (w/ stones or paper) it flattens, but in your case it may be the opposite-- you may not be reaching the edge.
  
  Drop the Tip haha-- less edge to worry about!!

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  waterfowlhunter

  • March 22, 2014 11:50

  Thanks for all of the replies. I ended up picking up an "extra course" stone to dress the tip (with sharpie on blade) then back to the diamond hones and it is a lot better now. still not as good as I would like but getting there. I own 3 of these and this one in particular just seems harder to sharpen than all the others. I gave this same model as gifts to my sons and they have not had any issues keeping them sharp either.
  
  thanks again

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  fastjan

  • March 22, 2014 15:08

  Thanks for letting us know how you are doing on the issue.
  
  Sometimes when I think I've done everything right and the edge should be cutting like a box cutter, it doesn't. All it usually needs at that point is 7 strokes on the strop and it's there.
  
  You can find lots of info on stropping on YouTube. I still use an old hanging horsehide strop like the barbers used in the old west. I usually coat it with a couple passes from a polishing compound stone. The compound I use came from a company called Tru-Grit, in Ontario, CA. (909) 923-4116. They call this one "Green chrome (polishing) compound".
  
  Now instead, for simplicity, you can buy a wide smooth leather belt at a second-hand store and get some kind of buffing compound at Lowes or Home Depot and probably do just as well. Use the smooth side of the belt and don't push hard. Just use a little more than the weight of the knife. One last tip...at the end of the stroke, lift the knife up off the belt and turn it over and carefully lay it back down for the return stroke. Doing fast back and forth strokes like a barber will screw up the burr you are trying to straighten.
  
  Good Luck. I hope the stropping is all it is lacking.

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