Advice on Convex Edges needed

S

SDouglas

Joined
Jan 6, 1999
Messages
605
I am trying to set my Spyderco 204 up to handle convex edges.

I am clamping SiC paper and 1/8" Leather to the Triangle Rods and using the 15 Degree angle setting.

I have sharpened 3 different knives and gotten edges that would slice paper cleanly, filet layers of printer paper without cutting all the way through and fuzz a hardwood branch but none of them will shave arm hair.

I am stopping at 600 grit SiC paper.

Is difficulty shaving an inherent trait of convex edges?

Is it possible that I just need a finer grit paper?

Is the 15 Degree angle of the 204 too steep to get a good shaving edge?

Could the fact that I am sharpening into the edge using the standard sharpmaker technique instead of away from the edge be a factor.

I know that a Slack Belt Grinder is the standard way of implementing a Convex Edge but I don't have one and would like to explore the sharpmaker as an option.
 
I put a 15 degree edge on just about every knife I make.I'll run the edge across a 320 grit belt at 15 degrees after the knife is completed. Then I hand sharpen on a Arkansas fine oil stone until it will shave, then I polish it on a 1x 10" wood wheel with a piece of 8 oz sheath leather glued to it, the hair will jump off your arm, wickly sharp. This is just how I do it, I'm sure you'll get several suggestions.

Good Luck :)
Bill
 
Changing to a less steep angle and going to a higher grit will both help you achieve a shave sharp edge. Just remember that a shave sharp edge isn't always the best edge for the task at hand.
 
I will experiment with higher grit and different techniques on the Sharpmaker.

My main objective is a configuration that a user with a sharpmaker could use to maintain a Convex Edge.
 
Go get yourself an old style barber's strop and some stropping compound and go to it. The give in the strop will automatically give a convex edge.
 
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