AK vs Groundhog


I was just sitting outside on the front steps sharpening the lawnmower blades with a Dremel when my 2 German Shepherds started going crazy barking and lunging at a bush. No sooner do I turn off the Dremel than a big groundhog comes darting out of the bush. Of course the dogs were on him like stink on s@#!. They threw it around for a minute before I intervened and separated it's head from it's body with the AK. (it was either the AK or my Spyderco Wegner. Easy choice!) The Ak was only moderately sharpened (I'm still having trouble putting a really good edge on it Cliff) and easily finished the job with one medium powered swing. The dogs had a nice late morning snack and I am eagerly anticipating some groundhog stew later this week! (groundhog is delicious if you know how to skin and prepare it. It has a very mild flavor.)
That's all. I just thought I'd share my first "hunting" story with my AK.

Mike
 
Jaeger, the steel in the khukuris is not overly hard (56-58 RC) and it grinds fairly easy. The blade curvature and weight makes it difficult to use like on a rig like a Lansky, so just take it bit by bit with a hone and do it by hand.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

I haven't even attempted to put it in the Lanskey. I bought the DMT a small ceramic rod and a steel and have been working with them. I have been trying to follow your instuctions but I haven't had much luck. I invariably make things worse with the steel. I can get it a little better with the DMT and the ceramic stick. Should I get one of those ceramic stick sets with the pre drilled base?
On the other hand the advice you gave me about sharpening my Spyderco Wegner with the Lansky was right on the money. It is probably the sharpest knife I own now and holds a fantastic edge. This is the first knife that I have been able to get hair popping sharp. I'll keep working with the AK.

Mike
 
Jaeger,

I use ceramic sticks in a base to sharpen my AK on a regular basis. It is easy and quick, and puts on quite a sharp edge. The sticks don’t remove a lot of metal, so they’re not good for reprofiling an edge. But my AK came with a good edge grind, so I didn’t need to reprofile. My AK will shave arm hair easily after a couple of swipes on the sticks.
 
Jaeger, Howard brings up a good point. If the initial edge is not really that sharp, then you will be spending quite along time with a rod trying to reprofile it. I just use rods and steels and such to maintain the edge. If a knife gets really blunt you are much better off with some kind of hone to thin the edge out.

-Cliff
 
Hi Jaeger,

If a lot of metal has to be removed try using the Lanksy course stone (Red) free hand. The angle I use is about 20-25 degrees. I follow the sharpening guide in the FAQ i.e. work up a burr on one side than the other. The burr is then removed by lightly stroking with a fine stone at a slightly angle (I use 25-30 degree). The fine stone should be alternated between both sides since the burr will flop around for a while)

I would not use the angle guide on the Lansky on the Ang Khola. The blade puts the stone too far from the guide, as a result the angle is much shallower than indicated by the guide.

Good Luck

Will
 
Mike, these are the sharpening experts. Do what they suggest and you'll be home free.

Uncle Bill
 
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